Abstract
Taenia ovis larvae can result in economic losses in small ruminants due to condemnation of infected tissues or whole carcasses. From 2017 to 2018, the T. ovis prevalence in 16,180 sheep and 7560 goats at the Najafabad slaughterhouse in Isfahan was determined. More sheep (477; 2.9%) than goats (90; 1.2%) were found to be infected, and the prevalence was higher in animals <1 y (p < 0.0001), and higher in spring in sheep (8.2%) and goats (2.2%). Female sheep were more frequently infected than males (p < 0.0001); this did not hold true for goats. Of the tissues examined, T. ovis was found more often in the heart muscle of sheep compared with other tissues; however, infections in the heart muscle, masseter muscle, diaphragm, and triceps were similar in goats. Granulomas and caseous necrosis in the heart muscles were associated with the accumulation of mononuclear inflammatory cells and the formation of fibrous tissue around the parasite. Based solely on infected tissues found in this study, the economic loss caused by the presence of T. ovis larvae was estimated to be 4167 United States dollars (USD). Control methods, such as proper disposal of infected tissues and anthelmintic treatment of infected dogs, are necessary to decrease infection and prevent economic loss in small ruminants.
Highlights
Infection of small ruminants with the larva of the cestode, Taenia ovis, frequently referred to as Cysticercus ovis or ‘sheep measles’, occurs throughout much of the world, including in NewZealand, Australia, Canada, and some African countries, with more recent first reports of infection in Europe [1,2,3]
The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of T. ovis infection in sheep and goats slaughtered at the Najafabad abattoir in Isfahan, the primary abattoir in the region, and assess factors that influence prevalence
This cross-sectional study was conducted on 23,740 small ruminants (7560 goats and 16,180 sheep) slaughtered at the Najafabad abattoir in Isfahan between 2017 and 2018
Summary
Infection of small ruminants with the larva of the cestode, Taenia ovis, frequently referred to as Cysticercus ovis or ‘sheep measles’, occurs throughout much of the world, including in NewZealand, Australia, Canada, and some African countries, with more recent first reports of infection in Europe [1,2,3]. The oncosphere is released and, through blood circulation, reaches the liver, heart, lungs, spleen, muscles, and other organs, and develops into a cysticercus within three months [6,7]. These cysts are 6 to 100 mm in diameter and are oval, thin, fluid-filled, and contain a scolex [3,6]. The definitive host, dogs, becomes infected by eating small ruminant viscera with live cysts; with growth of the adult cestode and production of gravid proglottids, the parasite life cycle is completed [7]
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