Cystic echinococcosis in cattle (Bos taurus) from rural communities of Limpopo National Park, Gaza province, Mozambique: a One Health perspective

Abstract

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by the larval stage (metacestode) of the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.). It is one of the most widespread zoonoses of veterinary and public health importance and constitutes a sanitary, economic, and socio-cultural concern globally. It is included in the WHO (World Health Organization) list of the most frequent Neglected Zoonotic Diseases (NZDs) and is a major problem in rural areas where hygienic measures are poor. Prevalence of the disease in humans is often underestimated given the challenges in carrying out studies in resource-poor communities in remote and isolated geographic areas. A prevalence and genotyping study was conducted in the Limpopo National Park (LNP) area, Gaza province, to evaluate effects of this parasitic disease on livestock production, wildlife health, and possible public health risks in this human–wildlife interface conservation area. A total of 204 cattle were inspected in the Massingir slaughterhouse which is the focal point for all animals reared in the LNP and its buffer zone. Inspections detected 25 animals with cystic-like lesions in various organs, of which 22 were microscopically confirmed as E. granulosus s.l., representing a prevalence of 10.8%. Subsequent molecular analysis of the PCR samples and sequencing of the cox1 and nad1 genes confirmed that the samples belonged to strain G5, now reclassified as E. ortleppi, one of the known zoonotic Echinococcus species.