Abstract
Abstract Cystic echinococcosis is a cosmopolitan zoonotic infection, commonly seen in areas where livestock and dogs are kept together. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of echinococcosis in slaughtered cattle and sheep in North Macedonia and to evaluate the location and fertility/sterility rates of the cysts. A total of 302 slaughtered animals were examined with visual inspection, palpation, and incision of the internal organs in order to detect cysts. Microscopic examination was carried out to determine the presence of protoscoleces. The overall prevalence of echinococcosis in slaughtered cattle and sheep was 60%. The presence of cysts increased with age in cattle. In both cattle and sheep, the most common affected organs were the liver and lungs infected with more than one cyst. The findings showed higher fertility rate in sheep which confirmed their role as the most important intermediate host. This study shows that North Macedonia is an endemic region, and serious control strategies should be implemented, with special emphasis on safety disposal of infected organs and anthelmintic treatment of the dogs.
Highlights
Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is an important parasitic zoonotic disease caused by the larval form of the taeniid tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus [1]
The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of echinococcosis in slaughtered cattle and sheep in North Macedonia and to evaluate the location and fertility/sterility rates of the cysts
This study shows that North Macedonia is an endemic region, and serious control strategies should be implemented, with special emphasis on safety disposal of infected organs and anthelmintic treatment of the dogs
Summary
Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is an important parasitic zoonotic disease caused by the larval form of the taeniid tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus [1]. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), echinococcosis is a neglected disease with worldwide distribution that needs prevention and control [2]. The fully developed metacestode is an unilocular spherical cyst, filled with liquid, consisting of an internal germinated layer and external elastic acellular laminated layer. Fertility of the cysts is very important when it comes to reviewing the epidemiology of echinococcosis and depends on host species [7]. No more than 1-5 cm every year, with no functional disorders of the organs and no clinical signs in the diseased animals [9]. There is no reliable diagnostic method for live animals, the diagnosis of echinococcosis is based on post-mortem examination during slaughter [10]
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