Comparative Study on Copper, Zinc, Magnesium and Iron in Hydatid Cyst Fluid (Supernatant and Residue) in Sheep and Camel in Egypt

Abstract

Aim: this study included comparative biochemical composition of micro-minerals, including Cu, Zn, Mg and Fe in hydatid cyst fluid (supernatant and residue) from liver of infected sheep and lung of infected camels. Materials and Methods: Organs with hydatid cysts were collected from El-Basateen abattoirs, Cairo, Egypt, during the period from Nov. 2014 to Dec. 2015. Flame ionization by Atomic absorption spectroscopy was used for measuring the micro-minerals concentration. Results: the current study showed: significant difference in Mg, Cu and Fe micro-minerals between cyst’ supernatant (S Sh) and residue (R Sh) of infected sheep (p<0.001, p<0.05); significant difference in only Cu micro-mineral between S Sh and cyst residue (R C) of camels (p<0.001); significant difference in both Fe and Zn micro-mineral between cyst supernatant of infected camels (S C) and S Sh (p<0.05); significant difference in both Mg and Fe between R Sh and R C (p<0.01); significant difference in Mg, Fe and Zn between R Sh and S C (p<0.01, p<0.001) and significant difference in Fe and Zn between S C and R C (p<0.001, p<0.01). Cu was the highest while Mg was the lowest concentration of all tested minerals in both S Sh and S C but Fe was the highest and Zn was the lowest concentration of all tested minerals in both R Sh and R C. Conclusions: in the current work, the parasite that was located in both sheep and camel is characterized by having high levels of Copper in the cyst fluid and of iron in the scolecies. Binding a scolecidal drug with either copper or iron may enhance its efficacy.