COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN SEROLOGICAL ANALYSIS AND VISUAL MEAT INSPECTION FOR HYDATID CYST IN CAMELS

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted (during PM examination of the slaughtered carcasses) to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in identifying camels infected with hydatid cysts before slaughtering and to assess the prevalence of hydatidosis in camels sacrificed in Assuit Governorate. Hydatid cyst count and characterization were conducted based on routine meat inspection. Slaughterhouse samples of 200 camels were collected through weekly visits. Hydatid cysts in livers, lungs and kidneys were detected and counted, also the fertility rate of the cysts was examined. Out of these, 12 (6%) were found to harbor hydatid cyst, in livers 9(75%), lungs 2(17%) and kidney 1(8%).On the other side, fertile cysts 5(41.7%) were found more frequently in livers 4(33.3%) than in lungs 1(8.3%), while sterile cysts7(58.3%) found in livers , lungs and kidneys 5(41.7% ), 1(8.1) and 1(8.3%) respectively. In addition to PM examination, Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test (ELISA) was developed to the same camels for serological detection of hydatid cyst infection but in alive state. 16(8%) of the 200 camels were found harbouring hydatid cysts were serologically positive when screened for hydatidosis by ELISA test. Four animals (2%) out of the 188 non-infected camels gave serologically positive result. It is suggested that the ELISA as a serological assay, is a valuable method with high diagnostic efficiency for serodiagnosis of hydatid disease. The public health importance of hydatidosis as well as some recommended measures for controlling of the disease were discussed.