Echinococcosis In Sheep Research Articles

Retrospective survey of hydatid cyst infection in sheep and cattle based on abattoir data in Al-Najaf province, Iraq

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a parasitic zoonotic disease which is highly endemic in Iraq and has an extensive effect on livestock productivity and human health. The current study focused on slaughtered sheep and cattle in Al-Najaf city abattoir, which infected with hydatid cysts from the period between January 2016 till December 2018. The total sheep examined were 244806, in which 3339 were found to be positive for hydatidosis, while in cattle, the total examined number was 59001, in which 887 were found to be positive for hydatidosis. In current study, the prevalence rate was estimated to be 1.49 % for hydatidosis in sheep, whereas in cattle it was 1.60 %. There were no differences between sheep and cattle rate infections. The highest rate of infection in sheep and cattle was observed in April 2.03% and July 1.89 respectively, while the lowest rate was observed in September 1.27% and November 1.04, respectively. Seasonally, the highest infection rate of hydatid cysts was 1.60 % in spring for sheep and 1.77 % in summer for cattle. The findings of this study demonstrated that the prevalence of hydatid cysts infections is generally lower than those reported from other regions of Iraq, and at the same time, it clearly remains prevalent. Hydatid cysts are common and widely distributed in sheep and cattle and they might play an important role in the life cycle and transmission of this zoonosis in Al-Najaf province.

Prevalence and Public Health Importance of Hydatidosis in Sheep Slaughtered by Unlicensed Ways

Hydatidosis is a zoonotic, helminthes parasitic disease that cause veterinary and human problems due to economic burden. Amis of the current study was to estimate the prevalence rate of hydatidosis infecting different organs of sheep slaughtered in street. In addition, investigate the relationship between age, gender and the infected rates in some Baghdad areas during a period from may to end of July 2018.A total of 188 sheep was examined for detection of Hydatid cyst in different organs using macroscopic and microscopic examination The overall prevalence rate of 47.9% was recorded. The results indicate non significant differences according to age and gender, the highest rate 57% was observed in sheep more than one year old compared with small ages 31.3%. The females showed the highest rate 59.3% while the male recorded 30.7%. The most affected organ was the liver 64.4% followed by the lung 25.6% and finally the spleen 10%. Conclusion of this study indicates the higher prevalence rate lead to the necessity for control programs against hydatidosis includ preventing of illegal slaughtering.

Epidemiological study of Echinococcus granulosus in sheep in the Gharb plain (North-West of Morocco).

Hydatidosis is considered endemic in Morocco and caused serious health problems in ruminants. The aim of this research is to present an epidemiological study on echinococcosis in sheep. The study was carried out between April 2016 and May 2017. A total number of 1600 sheeps was examined via autopsy for Echinococcus granulosus in various slaughterhouses in the Gharb plain of Morocco. The Results of the study showed that the prevalence of cystic echinococcosis was 7.63%. The infection was not significant among sheep which age is < 1 year (2.67%), while it increases among those which age is from 1 to 3years old (8.63%). It also grows significantly among sheep which age is over 3years old (11.71%). Parasitized at 62%, the liver is the most affected organ followed by the lungs (38%). Protoscoleces are only found in liquid cysts and contribute to their fertility which is estimated at 66.66% in the liver and 57.74% in the lungs. In addition, the prevalence of calcified cysts is 12.24% in the liver and 21.11% in the lungs. Examination of the fertile cysts revealed a high level of Protoscoleces viability, whether it's in the liver (65.93%) or in the lungs (59.30%). This study also shows how the evolution of echinococcosis is closely linked to sex and age.

Pathological and histochemical studies of the effects of cystic echinococcosis in sheep

A total of 2100 sheep, slaughtered or spontaneously dead, from various areas of Kashmir valley were screened for the presence of hydatidosis. Out of 2100 cases, 85 were positive for hydatidosis. Histopathologicallly, the cyst wall consisted of the inner germinal, middle lamellated, and outer fibrous layer. Inflammatory reaction around the cyst was variable and was characterized by an inner zone of loosely arranged fibroblasts infiltrated with mononuclear cells and densely packed fibroblasts mixed with mononuclear cells; and an outer layer of concentrically packed fibrous connective tissue. Mast cell reaction was observed mainly in the bronchiolar, peribronchiolar, and inflammatory zones in the lungs; while in the liver, mast cells were noted in portal triads and bile ducts and were least evident in the vicinity of the cysts. Qualitative increase was observed for acid mucopolysaccharides in fibroblasts, inflammatory cells, and bronchial epithelium, especially hyperplastic epithelial cells. Masson’s trichrome revealed intense formation of collagen fibers in the pericystic connective tissue. The calcareous corpuscles of the protoscolices were distinct when stained with combined Alcian blue PAS and toluidine stains but were not visible when stained with H & E and Masson’s trichrome stains.

Efficacy of radiotherapy for the treatment of cystic echinococcosis in naturally infected sheep

BackgroundRadiotherapy is commonly used to treat cancers. To date, there has been no study focusing on the effects of radiotherapy on hydatid disease in large animals. In this study, we aim to investigate the efficiency and safety of radiotherapy for treating hydatid disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus in naturally infected sheep.MethodsUltrasound was used to screen naturally infected sheep in an echinococcosis endemic area in Xinjiang, China. A computer tomography (CT) scan confirmed the presence of hydatid cysts. Twenty sheep naturally infected with E. granulosus in the liver and/or lungs were randomly assigned into four groups receiving no irradiation, or X-ray irradiation of low (30 Gy), medium (45 Gy), and high dose (60 Gy), respectively. After three months of radiotherapy, a CT scan was performed to measure the changes in the cysts. The hepatic parasite cysts and host tissues were collected for histology and gene expression analysis.ResultsIn the animals subject to irradiation, no significant differences were observed in their appetite, daily activities, and weight before and after radiotherapy. Severe calcification was noticed in the cysts subject to a high dose of radiation compared with the groups subject to low and medium doses. Hematoxylin and eosin staining showed that irradiation contributed to the damage of the cyst structure and nucleus in the germinal layers. Quantitative PCR demonstrated that expression of TPX and HSP70 significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). The expression of the EPC1 decreased in the medium- and high-dose groups compared with the low-dose group (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the expression of radiation-related apoptosis genes caspase-3 and Gadd45 decreased with an increase in the irradiation dose.ConclusionsRadiotherapy is an option with satisfactory efficiency and safety for treating cystic echinococcosis in sheep with partial response or stable disease at month 3. In future, inhibition of cystic activity using radiotherapy may serve as a new regimen for treating hydatid disease.

CT Scanning in Identification of Sheep Cystic Echinococcosis.

Objective We aim to determine the efficiency of CT in identification of cystic echinococcosis in sheep. Methods Fifty-three sheep with liver cysts confirmed by ultrasonography were subject to CT scan to evaluate the number, size, and type of the cysts in liver and lung, confirmed using necropsy. The correlation of numbers between liver cysts and lung cysts was calculated using Pearson analysis. Results Necropsy indicated a 98% consensus on size, location, number, and activity compared with CT scan. The viable cysts were 53.1% and 50.6% in the liver and lung, respectively. Among the cysts in liver, 35.5%, 9.5%, 5.7%, 10.2%, and 39.1% were Types CE1, CE2, CE3, CE4, and CE5, respectively. The cysts in the lungs, 17.4%, 26.9%, 12.1%, 11.6%, and 32.1%, were Types CE1, CE2, CE3, CE4, and CE5, respectively. A significant correlation was noticed between the number of cysts in liver and those in lung (R = 0.770, P < 0.001). Conclusions CT scan is a suitable tool in determining the size and type of cystic hydatid cysts in both liver and lung of sheep. A significant correlation was noticed between the numbers in liver and lung, indicating that lung infection was likely due to the expansion of liver cyst burden pressure.

Epidemiological Study of Cystic Echinococcosis in Sheep, Cattle and Goats in Erbil Province

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) or hydatid cyst (HC) caused by the larval stage of the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus continues to be a substantial cause of morbidity and mortality in many parts of the world. Since Kurdistan region is considered as endemic area, an epidemiological study was conducted to investigate the occurrence of CE isolated from sheep, cattle and goats from July 2013 to June 2014. The total rate of infection was 11.17(457/4092), with the highest rate (9.07%) in sheep and the lowest (0.54%) in goats. Regarding the sex of the infected animals, female showed slightly a higher rate than males (5.99% versus 5.18%) which statistically non-significant (P>0.05). Among the three intermediate host sheep showed the highest rate of infection (14.51%) regarding the sex females of sheep and cattle showed higher rate of infection versus males (27.36 and 20.35 versus 9.37 and 3.86). Furthermore, the highest incidence of CE in sheep, cattle and goats were found among the age group over three years (18.75, 5.41 and 1.69%, respectively), while the lowest rate was noted in the age groups less than one year (3.96 and 0.25%, o.33, respectively). On the other hand, sheep showed high rate of infection throughout the year with peaks during May to July which were 19.44%, 17.59 and 18.14%,respectively. This was followed by cattle and goats (11.67% and 5.26%) in April and December, respectively. Regarding the size, the higher numbers of small sized cysts were found in the liver (98/175), while the highest numbers of large sized cysts were found in both liver and lung which were 69/165. The liver and lungs appeared to be the site of predilection, since highest rate of infection was reported in these organs. Regarding the fertility of CE, the highest was in sheep (87.6%), followed by goats (77.27%) and then the cattle (40.63%).

A study of morphological aspects of cystic echinococcosis in sheep in Sardinia

We have investigated the morphological and structural aspects of hydatid cysts recovered from sheep raised in southern Sardinia during two surveys conducted over the 20 years since the last control attempt at the end of the 1980s. In the first study carried out during 1995–1997, a few years after the last control attempt, a total of 10,334 cysts were examined, recovered from 1029 infected sheep out of a total of 1375 inspected (prevalence 74.84%). In the second survey, conducted ten years later during the period 2005–2010 in the absence of specific control measures, a total of 6249 cysts were recovered from 916 parasitized sheep out of the 1414 examined (prevalence 64.78%).Cysts were grouped into 5 different types: “Unilocular”, “Multisepted”, “Calcified”, “Caseous”, “Hyperlaminated”. Unilocular: fertile, consist of a single fluid-filled cavity; multisepted: generally sterile, fluid filled, with cavity divided into spheroidal chambers (3-dozen); calcified: sterile, small, with internal chambers almost virtual due to the thickening of internal septa; caseous: sterile, the cavity filled with a thick yellowish matrix; hyperlaminated: sterile, with a virtual cavity filled with extensively folded and overlapping sheets of hyperproduced laminated tissue.A thorough knowledge and the precise characterization of each type of lesion, making it possible to establish detailed parameters for cyst classification, appears very useful for the harmonization of data collection. From a surveillance and control perspective it is proposed that, in addition to other relevant epidemiological information, data from meat inspection be further improved, including morpho-functional indications about cyst type.

Concomitant occurrence of oxidative stress and hydatid cyst in sheep, goat and cow naturally infected

This study was conducted aiming at knowing the pathological changes that are concomitant with natural infection of hydatidosis in sheep, goat and cattle, in addition to estimate, if infection has relations with oxidative stress via estimation of the total antioxidants and oxidants in hydatid fluid. Results of the present study elucidate the presence of chronic histopathological lesions represented by hemorrhage and vascular changes, hepatic programmed cell death, portal fibrosis, infiltration of inflammatory cells around hydatid cysts in addition to necrosis, collection of hydatid fluid from 25 samples (each one) for estimation of total Antioxidants and total oxidants in hydatid fluid. Results showed total antioxidants level in fertile cysts higher than in sterile cysts, and there was no significant variation in total oxidants of fertile and sterile cysts.

Molecular epidemiology of cystic echinococcosis in sheep in Romania

Molecular epidemiology of cystic echinococcosis in sheep in Romania

Ultrasound as a monitoring tool for cystic echinococcosis in sheep

An ultrasound-based survey for cystic echinococcosis (CE) in sheep was carried out in Sardinia in 2012. The study was done on three farms (A, B, C) which had been pre-selected for different CE prevalence levels (A: >80%, B: 50–80%, C: <50%). In total, 129 sheep were examined on the farms using portable ultrasound equipment (A: n=51, B: n=30, C: n=48). Within a period of 20 days after ultrasound examination, all sheep were slaughtered and underwent a parasitological post-mortem examination for cysts in the liver and lungs. With post-mortem as gold standard, ultrasonography gave a test sensitivity of 88.7% and a specificity of 75.9%, while the positive and negative predictive values were 81.8% and 84.6%, respectively. When only sheep with fertile cysts were considered, the sensitivity of the test increased to 100%. We conclude that the ultrasound examination of the liver in sheep – using state-of-the-art technology – is a sensitive and specific diagnostic tool, which is cost-effective, highly appropriate for field use and requires only moderate time (no shaving required). The method can also be applied to other livestock species and will be useful tool in epidemiological studies, monitoring schemes and vaccination/control trials.

Evaluation of native 8 kDa antigen based three immunoassays for diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis in sheep

The dog tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus is the causative agent of cystic hydatid disease in domestic/wild herbivores animals and man. Accurate immunodiagnosis of the infection requires highly specific and sensitive antigens. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate various immunoassays with principles of precipitation, agglutination and enzyme immunoassays for the identification of sheep infected with hydatid cyst which would allow the monitoring of animals from endemic areas and identifying infected animals prior to slaughter. The immunoassays were developed and validated using hydatid specific, non-cross reactive low molecular weight 8kDa hydatid cyst fluid protein. Sera used for the assay validations were obtained from 150 sheep infected naturally with hydatid cyst and 150 non-infected sheep. The highest diagnostic sensitivity was obtained in enzyme linked immune electro transfer blot (EITB) at 99.33 per cent followed by latex agglutination test (98.67 per cent) and counter immunoelectrophoresis (94.67 per cent). The study demonstrated that EITB was most sensitive immunological test for the detection of cystic echinococcosis in sheep. It should be useful for the conformation of hydatid cyst infected individual sheep. However, CIEP and LAT methods can be applied to practical use for screening studies.

Ultrasonographic features of the liver with cystic echinococcosis in sheep.

ObjectivesThe present study was designed to gain information about the ultrasonographic features of livers with cystic echinococcosis, as well as to evaluate the use of ultrasonography for diagnosis of such disease in sheep.DesignThis was a retrospective study during the period April 2011 to March 2013.ParticipantsA total of 22 Baladi sheep (aged three to six years) were included in this study. Based on clear hepatic ultrasonographic findings, all animals were classified into two groups: those with hepatic cysts (n=9) and without liver cysts (healthy liver, n=13).ResultsBiochemically, serum concentrations of γ-glutamyl transferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin and globulins were significantly increased (P<0.01), while albumin was lowered (P<0.01) in sheep with cystic livers. Ultrasonographic findings of diseased sheep livers revealed the presence of rounded, anechoic and unilocular hydatid cysts with ellipse circumference ranged from 6–10 cm. The borders of cysts were mostly well defined. The interior of cysts contained echogenic particulate materials, septations, or fine echoes. At the 10th intercostal space, the ventral margin, size, thickness and angle of livers were higher (P<0.01), while the diameter of portal vein was lower (P<0.01) in sheep with liver cysts than control ones. Furthermore, at the 9th intercostal space, the circumference of the gall bladder was decreased in sheep with hepatic cysts (P<0.01). The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of ultrasonography for diagnosis of hepatic hydatid cysts were 80 per cent and 100 per cent, and 100 per cent and 83 per cent, respectively.ConclusionsCystic echinococcosis is associated with a number of anatomical alterations in the liver tissues that can be easily recognised by ultrasound. Furthermore, ultrasonography alone or in combination with analysis of biochemical parameters reflecting liver function could be helpful for diagnosis of hepatic hydatid cysts in sheep.

Prevalence and public health significance of ovine hydatidosis in Bahir Dar Town, Ethiopia

Both cross-sectional and retrospective studies were conducted from October 2010 to April 2011 in Bahir Dar municipal abattoir and Azewa hotel to determine the prevalence and public health importance of hydatidosis in sheep. Hydatid cyst characterization was conducted based on routine meat inspection. Of the total of 400 sheeps examined by thorough meat inspection in Bahir Dar municipal abattoir and Azewa hotel, it was found that 60 (15%) of sheep were harboring hydatid cysts. The infection of liver, lung, kidney and spleen were 60.87, 37.68, 0.25 and 0%, respectively. The rate of cyst calcification was higher in liver than in other visceral organs. There was a significant difference in the harboring of hydatid cyst between age groups and body condition scores. Hence, there was a significantly higher prevalence of hydatidosis in sheeps of age greater than 3 years (p=0.032) and in poor body condition score (p=0.004). However, there was no significant difference between sexes (p=o.05). Hospital and clinic case-book survey (2007 to 2010) was also performed in Felegehiwot hospital, Gambi clinic and Kidanemeheret clinic to investigate the retrospective prevalence of human hydatidosis. Case book analysis showed that out of the total of 68,179 patients admitted for ultra sound examination, 30 (0.044%) hydatid cases were registered. Key words: Hydatidosis, prevalence, fertility, zoonoses, sheep, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.

Prevalence, organ distribution, risk factors, and financial losses of hydatid cysts in sheep and goats slaughtered in restaurants in Jimma, south western Oromia

A cross-sectional study was carried out from November 2010 through April 2011 to determine the prevalence, risk factors, number, size, and fertility of hydatid cysts in infected organs and assess the economic losses due to condemnation of organs in sheep and goats slaughtered in different restaurants in Jimma Town. For this purpose, a total of 804 small ruminants (502 sheep and 302 goats) slaughtered in Jimma Town were examined for presence of hydatid cysts. Hydatid cysts were detected in 149 (29.5 %) sheep and 75 (24.8 %) goats examined. Results of the study showed that statistically significant variation was never observed in the prevalence of hydatid cysts between sheep and goat hosts. In the study, 162 (25.8 %) males and 62 (35.5 %) females were found to harbor hydatid cysts in one or more of their organs. Significantly higher prevalence in females than males was recorded. An overall prevalence of 26.3 % in young and 29.4 % in adult sheep and goats of hydatid cysts was recorded. Our study showed that the liver was the most commonly infected organs of sheep and goats with the prevalence of 50.7 % followed by the lungs (37.5 %) whereas the rest 11.3 % was mixed infection. In sheep, out of the total 508 cysts collected, 38.6 % small, 45.5 % medium, and 21.3 % large were recorded. Similarly, for goats, the corresponding values of 33.8, 43.5, and 22.4 % were detected, respectively. In this study, a total of 168 from sheep and 135 cysts from goats collected from different infected organs were subjected to fertility and viability studies. Results of the study revealed that out of the total 95 (56.5 %) of the fertile cysts in sheep, 81 (85.3 %) were viable; however, the rest 14 (14.7 %) were nonviable. In goats, out of the total 59 (43.7 %) of the fertile cysts, 44 (74.6 %) were viable; however, the rest 15 (25.4 %) were nonviable. Significantly higher numbers of fertile cysts were recorded in the livers than in the lungs in both sheep and goats hosts. The total annual economic loss incurred due to cystic echinococcosis in sheep and goats slaughtered in restaurants in Jimma Town was estimated to be 149,312.8 USD (249,324 ETB). In view of the findings of the current study, there is a need and recommendation for proper disposal of offal, reduction of backyard slaughtering, and control of stray dogs to prevent the economic losses and public health hazard associated with the cystic echinococcosis. The findings of the current study imply that cystic echinococcosis is highly prevalent and incurs huge financial losses through condemnation of infected internal organs in sheep and goats slaughtered in Jimma. Further epidemiological studies on the comparative importance of intermediate host species, definitive hosts, genotype of strains from different host species, and zoonotic and economic significance of cystic echinococcosis are urgently needed in different parts of Ethiopia.

Hydatic cyst prevalence in slaughtered animals, A neglected health problem

Lorestan and other part of Iran are one of the important endemic focuses for the major zoonotic parasitic diseases like cystic hydatid disease where several species of intermediate host are commonly infected with Echinococcus granulosus . Meat inspection records in a slaughtered house were used to determine the prevalence of Hydatidosis in sheep, cattle, and goats in Lorestan province (Aleshtar) located in South-West of Iran. The data were collected during a 5 year period from 2002 to 2006. A total of 40,431 animals (cattle 6993; sheep 14084; goats 19354) slaughtered in the 5-year period and overall 2885 (7.13%) lungs and 2885 (7.13%) livers and 1598 (3.95%) peritoneal cavity were contaminated by hydatid cyst. One thousand and eight hundred sixty eight (26.71%) out of 6993 of cattle, 2989/14084 (21.22%) of sheep and 2511/19354 (12.97%) of goats were infected by hydatid cyst in liver, lung and peritoneal cavity respectively. This study indicates that the highest prevalence of Hydatidosis was found in Aleshtar, Lorestan as compared to the rest of Iran (p<0.05). The annual prevalence of lung condemnations due to hydatidosis was increased from 8.3, 5 and 1.3% in Sep 2002 to Sep 2003 to 20.5, 8 and 5.5 % in Sep2005 to Sep2006 for cattle, sheep, and goats, respectively. An urgent attention is required to work on lack of awareness among farmers, lack of a policy to destroy the infected organs, prevention of access of dogs to raw offal’s and other responsible factors.Lorestan and other part of Iran are one of the important endemic focuses for the major zoonotic parasitic diseases like cystic hydatid disease where several species of intermediate host are commonly infected with Echinococcus granulosus . Meat inspection records in a slaughtered house were used to determine the prevalence of Hydatidosis in sheep, cattle, and goats in Lorestan province (Aleshtar) located in South-West of Iran. The data were collected during a 5 year period from 2002 to 2006. A total of 40,431 animals (cattle 6993; sheep 14084; goats 19354) slaughtered in the 5-year period and overall 2885 (7.13%) lungs and 2885 (7.13%) livers and 1598 (3.95%) peritoneal cavity were contaminated by hydatid cyst. One thousand and eight hundred sixty eight (26.71%) out of 6993 of cattle, 2989/14084 (21.22%) of sheep and 2511/19354 (12.97%) of goats were infected by hydatid cyst in liver, lung and peritoneal cavity respectively. This study indicates that the highest prevalence of Hydatidosis was found in Aleshtar, Lorestan as compared to the rest of Iran (p<0.05). The annual prevalence of lung condemnations due to hydatidosis was increased from 8.3, 5 and 1.3% in Sep 2002 to Sep 2003 to 20.5, 8 and 5.5 % in Sep2005 to Sep2006 for cattle, sheep, and goats, respectively. An urgent attention is required to work on lack of awareness among farmers, lack of a policy to destroy the infected organs, prevention of access of dogs to raw offal’s and other responsible factors.

General survey of epidemic hydatidosis in sheep in Al-Shula area in Baghdad

The survey of distribution of hydatidosis in sheep in Al-Shula Area of Baghdad region was conducted from Mar. 2010 to Feb. 2011. By examining of 2781 animals 1877 male and ( 904) female , the infection rate was( 12.69%). Out of 353 of affected sheep 211 was female (7.58%) and 147 was male (5.1%). Hydatidosis is found in internal organs for all months of the year .The ratio of infection was higher in female ( 59,77% ) in comparaion with male ( 40,22%) . 2428 hydatid cysts were isolated from liver , lung and liver together and lung organs mostly from lung and liver together with rate (61.53%) there was direct relation between the age of the sheep (male and female ) and infection by Hydatidosis .

Oxidant/antioxidant balance and trace elements status in sheep with liver cystic echinococcosis

This study aimed to determine the trace elements and oxidative stress markers as contributory factors causing liver injury and erythrocyte destruction in sheep with liver cystic echinococcosis. In comparison to healthy control, the index of serum lipid peroxidation assessed by the malonyldialdehyde (MDA) level was significantly (P < 0.001) higher and the concentrations of serum total antioxidant status (TAS) and trace elements (zinc, copper, and iron) were significantly (P < 0.001) lower in sheep with liver cystic echinoccocosis. No significant differences were observed for erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase activities between infected and healthy groups. In infected sheep, a significant positive correlation of MDA with aspartate transaminase (AST) (r = 0.636, P = 0.000) and erythrocyte GPx (r = 0.373, P = 0.043) was observed. By contrast, serum MDA concentration was negatively correlated with the values of TAS (r = −0.559, P = 0.001) and packed cell volume (PCV; r = −0.473, P = 0.008). On the other hand, there was a significant negative correlation between serum TAS concentration and the levels of AST (r = −0.433, P = 0.017) and MDA (r = −0.559, P = 0.001). By contrast, serum TAS was positively correlated with the value of PCV (r = 0.728, P = 0.000). From the present study, it was concluded that cystic echinococcosis in sheep is associated with oxidative stress. The resulting oxidative stress seems to have a role in the injury of hepatocytes and erythrocytes.

Hydatidosis: prevalence and biometrical studies in sheep in Kerman area, southeast of Iran

A cross-sectional survey was carried out on the sheep slaughtered at the Kerman abattoir from September 2010 to September 2011 to determine the prevalence of cystic hydatidosis. Postmortem examinations on hydatid cyst characterization were conducted. Out of the total of 1,643 animals examined (659 females and 984 males), 165 (10.04 %) were found harboring one or more hydatid cyst. The result obtained from postmortem examinations indicated that a total of 246 visceral organs were found harboring one or more hydatid cysts. The involvement of lung, liver, muscles, and kidney was found to be 49.59, 47.96, 1.21, and 1.21 %, respectively. From the total of 2,129 cysts counted, 875 (41.09 %), 720 (33.81 %), 258 (12.11 %) and 276 (12.96 %) were small, medium, large, and calcified cysts respectively, and 1,083 (50.86 %) and 770 (36.16 %) were fertile and sterile cysts respectively. Out of the 1,083 fertile cysts subjected for viability test, 899 (83.01 %) were viable. In conclusion, these findings of infections, meaning abundance and fertility rates of cystic echinococcosis in sheep slaughtered, prompt plans for further epidemiological studies and controlling programs.

Cystic echinococcosis in sheep in Sardinia. Changing pattern and present status

The epidemiological status of cystic echinococcosis (CE) in sheep in Sardinia over the 20 years since the last control attempt at the end of the 1980s has been assessed, comparing the results of two surveys carried out in abattoirs in southern Sardinia. In the first, conducted in 1995–1997 (5–7 years after the last control effort), CE prevalence of about 75% was observed in the 1375 sheep sampled, with intensity of 10.0 and mean abundance of 7.5. The most affected organ was the liver, whereas a large percentage of infected animals presented cysts in both the liver and lung. Overall, about 26% of parasitized sheep were found to be heavily infected and 12.15% of infected animals harboured fertile cysts. In the second survey, carried out ten years after the first, during the period 2005–2010 in absence of specific control measures, a total of 1414 sheep were examined. CE prevalence was 65%, 78% in the most rural Oristano province and 58% in the most “urbanised” province of Cagliari. Frequency of sheep infected in both the liver and lung had decreased slightly compared to the first survey, particularly in the Cagliari province, as had intensity and mean abundance, though to a lesser extent in the Oristano province. 14.6% of parasitized sheep were heavily infected, showing a general decline over the 10 years between the two surveys, particularly in the Cagliari area where the figure had more than halved. Conversely, about 14% of infected sheep hosted at least 1 fertile cyst, a slight increase compared to the 1st survey. Finally, the trend of CE transmission in Sardinian sheep according to surveys carried out from 1952 to 2010 has been analysed and the results are discussed in the light of the significant socio-economic and structural transformations that have actually modified the zoonosis scenario on the island.