Prevalence of parasitic lesions in lungs and livers of cattle and sheep at Constantine’s slaughterhouse, Northeast Algeria

Abstract

A cross-sectional survey was conducted at Constantine’s slaughterhouse in Northeast Algeria between February 2018 and February 2019. Livers and lungs of 2574 sheep and 1036 cattle were examined for the presence of lesions. The overall prevalence of lung lesions was 33% and 32% in sheep and cattle, respectively. The most frequent lesion in sheep lungs was red hepatization (19%) followed by pleurisy (12%). In cattle, the most frequent lung lesion was cystic echinococcosis (24%), followed by pleurisy (7%) and emphysema (5%). Lungworm infection (9%), atelectasis (0.2%) and suppurative bronchopneumonia (0.2%) were observed only in sheep lungs. On the other hand, cystic echinococcosis (24%) and tuberculosis (1.5%) were only observed in cattle. The prevalence of lung abscesses was 2% in sheep and 1% in cattle. The prevalence of lung lesions was higher in cattle older than eight years (66%) than in cattle younger than two years (14%). The overall prevalence of liver lesions was significantly higher in cattle (15%) than in sheep (11%). The highest prevalence of lesions in cattle livers was due to cystic echinococcosis (8%), followed by abscesses (6%), Fasciola hepatica infection (2%), and perihepatitis (1%). Cysticercus tenuicollis infection was observed in 6% of the examined sheep, followed by abscesses (5%). The highest prevalence of C. tenuicollis occurred in winter (9%) followed by autumn (6%). Lung and liver lesions represent a serious problem to the livestock industry in Algeria. Further studies are needed to implement appropriate control programs.