Cystic echinococcosis in dromedary camel: Biochemical, histopathological and parasitological studies

Abstract

This study was conducted on 600 dromedary camels from March 2017 to December 2017 at Al Omran (n=330) and Al Ahsa (n=270) abattoirs (Al Ahsa Province, Saudi Arabia). The study was designed to determine the prevalence, cyst fertility and viability, biochemical and electrolyte analysis of fertile and infertile hydatid cyst as well as histopathological findings. In these 600/2600 (23.07%) camels were randomly selected for antemortem examintation. Total 171 (28.5%) were found infected with hydatid cyst, i.e. 91 (27.6%) from Omran and 80 (29.6%) from Al-Ahsa abattoirs, respectively. Furthermore, 171 hydatid cysts were examined for fertility and viability. In Al Omran, 4/91 (4.4%) were found to be fertile and viable, 1/91 (1.1%) was fertile non viable, 23/91 (25.3%) were sterile and 63/91 (69.2%) in Al Ahsa, 2/80 (2.5%) were found to be fertile and viable, whereas, 33/80 (41.2%) were sterile and 45/80 (56.2%) were calcified. Biochemical and electrolyte analysis of hydatid cysts showed significant increase in iron, total protein and alkaline phosphatase in fertile cyst. Whereas, sterile cysts showed significant increase in triglyceride, chloride and sodium. In conclusion, infertile cysts were either sterile or calcified in the dromedary camel and were predominant. The biochemical and electrolyte parameters of cyst fluid could help us to recognise different kind of cysts.