Slaughter stock abattoir survey of carcasses and organ/offal condemnations in Arusha region,northern Tanzania

The current study reviews a 3-year record of slaughtered animals in Arusha abattoir to determine the causes of carcasses and organ/offal condemnations. A total of 115,186 cattle, 61,551 sheep, 37,850 goats and 13,310 pigs were slaughtered. Out of the slaughtered cattle, 8.6% were pregnant. Up to 125 (0.108%), 39 (0.063%), 40 (0.106%) and 132 (0.992%) of all cattle, sheep, goats and pig carcasses, respectively, were totally condemned. Cysticercosis was the leading cause of total carcass condemnations in cattle (0.051%) and in pig (1.397%), while emaciation accounted for 0.045% and 0.074% of carcass condemnations in sheep and goats, respectively. Livers and lungs were the most condemned organs in all four animal species. The main cause of condemnations of cattle livers was fasciolosis (8.6%), while stilesiosis in sheep and goats accounted for 8.1% and 7.3%, respectively. Ascariasis (4.03%) was the only cause of liver condemnation in pigs. Pneumonia was the leading cause of lung condemnations at the rates of 3.99%, 2.43% and 2.83% in cattle, sheep and goats, respectively. Because of their zoonotic nature, occurrences of hydatidosis, cysticercosis, fasciolosis and tuberculosis may pose a public health risk. Thus, there is a need to introduce appropriate control measures of livestock diseases to minimise the rate of infection and reduce economic losses.     

A retrospective survey of hydatidosis in livestock in Shiraz, Iran, based on abattoir data during 1999-2004

Meat inspection records in an abattoir located in Shiraz, a city in southwest Iran and the capital of Fars province, during a 5-year period from 20 March 1999 to 19 March 2004 were used to determine the prevalence of hydatidosis in sheep, cattle, and goats in the region. A total of 844,039 animals (cattle 131,716; sheep 577,090; goats 135,233) slaughtered in the 5-year period and overall 34,856 (4.1%) livers and 123,402 (14.62%) lungs were condemned. Hydatidosis was responsible for 28.7 and 15.4% of total livers and lungs condemnations, respectively. The overall trend for all livestock and in both organs was a significant downward one. The annual prevalence of liver condemnations due to hydatidosis was decreased from 2.1, 1.8, and 1.0% in 1999-2000 to 0.62, 0.33, and 0.20% in 2003-2004 for cattle, sheep, and goats, respectively. The corresponding features for lung condemnation due to hydatidosis were relatively higher than liver, declining from 3.0, 4.6, and 4.4% in 1999-2000 to 1.3, 1.5, and 0.56% in 2003-2004, for cattle, sheep, and goats, respectively. Greater awareness among farmers, destruction of organs containing hydatid cysts, prevention of access of dogs to raw offals and implementation of national rabies control program could be responsible factors. Data showed significant seasonal pattern for hydatidosis in all species. Liver condemnations due to hydatidosis were higher in the spring and summer for sheep, whereas lung condemnations were higher in summer for both sheep and goats. Liver and lung condemnations in cattle were higher in winter. This could be attributed to various factors such as sources of slaughtered animals, changes in management practice and ecological factors. The overall trend was relatively the same when annual condemnations were adjusted for the effect of seasonal variation. The present survey provides baseline data for the future monitoring of this potentially important parasitic disease in the region.     

A retrospective survey of liver fluke disease in livestock based on abattoir data in Shiraz, south of Iran

Meat-inspection records in an abattoir located in the Fars province (southern part of Iran) from 20 March 1999 to 19 March 2004 were used to determine the prevalence and long-term trend of liver fluke disease in sheep, cattle and goats in the region. A total of 844,039 animals (cattle 131,716; sheep 577,090; goats 135,233) slaughtered in the 5-year period and overall 34,856 (4.1%) livers were condemned. Fasciolosis and dicrocoeliosis were responsible for 54 and 21% of total liver condemnations, respectively. The prevalence of liver condemnations due to fasciolosis was decreased from 3.89, 3.20 and 2.63% in 1999-2000 to 1.07, 0.59 and 0.24% in 2003-2004 for cattle, sheep and goats, respectively. The corresponding features for dicrocoeliosis were similar, declining from 1.47, 1.76 and 2.10% in 1999-2000 to 0.69, 0.34 and 0.25% in 2003-2004, respectively. Drought climatic conditions in conjunction with a greater awareness among farmers could be responsible factors.     

Abattoir condemnation due to parasitic infections and its economic implications in the region of Trikala,Greece

The prevalence of parasitic infections responsible for the condemnation of carcasses and viscera during meat inspection, and their economic implication, was estimated in a year long abattoir survey of 10 277 slaughtered farm animals in the region of Trikala, Greece. The organs examined for the presence of parasitic lesions during meat inspection were: liver and lungs of all animals, rumen of cattle, small intestine of lambs and kids, and muscles of cattle and swine. The parasitic lesions observed in the lungs of cattle, sheep and goats were caused only by hydatid cysts. No hydatid cysts were observed in the lungs of swine. The parasitic lesions observed in the liver of cattle, sheep and goats were as a result of hydatid cysts and flukes of Fasciola hepatica and Dicrocoelium dendriticum, while those of swine were due to milk spots only. Moniezia sp. proglottids were found in the small intestine of lambs only. The prevalence of parasites responsible for the condemnation of marketable organs was low (0.26%). Parasites were responsible for 22% of the total of condemned organs, and their annual cost was 99, 00 GDR (approximately 292 Euros). The parasites most contributing to marketable organ condemnation were hydatid cysts (26%) and D. dendriticum flukes (26%).     

A retrospective survey of hydatidosis in livestock in Arusha,Tanzania, based on abattoir data during 2005 - 2007

A 3-year (2005–2007) retrospective study was carried out to investigate the occurrence of cystic echinococcosis (CE) in cattle and shoats (sheep and goats) slaughtered at Arusha municipal abattoir, Tanzania. A total of 115186 cattle and 99401 shoats were slaughtered. Cattle liver, lungs, spleen and heart condemnation rate was 16.35%, 13.04%, 2.09% and 3.06% respectively while 17.63%, 7.63%, 0.38% and 0.04% of shoats’ liver, lungs, spleen and heart respectively were condemned. A highly significant (p < 0.001) cystic echinococcosis (CE) infection rate was recorded in shoats (6.02%) than in cattle (4.2%) probably because of differences in grazing patterns. Cattle lungs were more affected by CE (22.5%) than liver (19.7%) while shoats liver were found to be more affacted (21%) than the lungs (19.3). A significant (p < 0.001) higher CE infection rate was observed in cattle spleen (15.5%) than shoats (9.7%). There was no significant (p > 0.05) difference between condemnation rates due to hydatidosis during rain and dry seasons probably because of chronicity of the disease. The study have established that CE is prevalent in animals slaughtered at Arusha abattoir and causes higher condemnation rates of edible offals. This merit for more extensive epidemiological investigations to better determine the prevalence, economic impact and public health importance of the disease in the region.     

Abattoir Condemnation due to Parasitic Infections and its Economic Implications in the Region of Trikala,Greece

The prevalence of parasitic infections responsible for the condemnation of carcasses and viscera during meat inspection, and their economic implication, was estimated in a year long abattoir survey of 10 277 slaughtered farm animals in the region of Trikala, Greece. The organs examined for the presence of parasitic lesions during meat inspection were: liver and lungs of all animals, rumen of cattle, small intestine of lambs and kids, and muscles of cattle and swine. The parasitic lesions observed in the lungs of cattle, sheep and goats were caused only by hydatid cysts. No hydatid cysts were observed in the lungs of swine. The parasitic lesions observed in the liver of cattle, sheep and goats were as a result of hydatid cysts and flukes of Fasciola hepatica and Dicrocoelium dendriticum, while those of swine were due to milk spots only. Moniezia sp. proglottids were found in the small intestine of lambs only. The prevalence of parasites responsible for the condemnation of marketable organs was low (0.26%). Parasites were responsible for 22% of the total of condemned organs, and their annual cost was 99 500 GDR (～€292). The parasites most contributing to marketable organ condemnation were hydatid cysts (26%) and D. dendriticum flukes (26%).     

Longitudinal fracture of the scapula in a dog

A survey was carried out at Kano abattoir in order to estimate the incidence of hydatidosis and cysticercosis in slaughtered livestock. Of the animal species examined, hydatid disease was found in sheep (11.4 per cent), goats (26.5 per cent), cattle (14.7 per cent) and camels (55.5 per cent). Cysticercus tenuicollis was found to be most prevalent in goats (34.2 per cent), followed by sheep (21.4 per cent) and cattle (0.1 per cent). Out of 4844 cattle examined, less than 2 per cent haboured Cysticercus bovis cysts; while Cysticercus ovis cysts were found in sheep (1 per cent) and goats (0.8 per cent).     

Incidence of Gross Reproductive Abnormalities in Small East African Zebu Cattle

Reproductive organs from mature Small East African zebu (SEAZ) heifers and cows slaughtered at the Morogoro abattoir were collected twice a month and evaluated over a period of 12 months. Out of the 402 animals from which reproductive organs were taken, 54% were pregnant, 24% were actively cycling and 22% were non-cycling. Various gross abnormalities were observed in the reproductive organs of about 16% of the cattle, and the major reproductive abnormality in both total and the non-cycling animals was various degrees of fibrous adhesion between the ovary and the infundibulum and mesosalpinx. It is concluded that, contrary to common belief, a majority of the female SEAZ cattle that are slaughtered are fertile.     

A survey on hydatidosis in livestock in Northern Iran based on data collected from slaughterhouses from 2004 to 2008

Data have been collected from slaughterhouses in three provinces across the Northern Iran (Gilan, Mazandaran and Golestan) from March 2004 to March 2008. These data were collected to evaluate the prevalence of hydatidosis in slaughtered cattle, sheep and goats. During the study, 3,347,797 animals were slaughtered. These included 621,686 cattle, 1,719,725 sheep and 1,006,386 goats. The prevalence of infection in cattle, sheep and goats was 12%, 14.6% and 10.1%, respectively. The association of condemnation rates with seasons was not proven statistically.     

Prevalence,risk factors,and distribution of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cysticercus tenuicollis</Emphasis> in visceral organs of slaughtered sheep and goats in central Ethiopia

An abattoir survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of Cysticercus tenuicollis, to find out the association between prevalence and potential risk factors as well as to assess the distribution of C. tenuicollis in visceral organs of slaughtered sheep and goats. Out of the total 768 goats and 630 sheep visceral organs inspected, C. tenuicollis was found in 358 goats (46.6%) and 252 sheep (40.0%), respectively. Adult goats (51.8%) and sheep (47.4%) were more infected than kids (41.4%) and lambs (35.8%), respectively. Goats (58.1%) and sheep (46.5%) from highland areas were more infected than goats (35.2%) and sheep (33.8%) from lowland areas. C. tenuicollis was more frequently detected in the omentum of goats and sheep than any other visceral organs. Appropriate control measures need to be introduced to reduce the prevalence of these parasites in small ruminants.     

Prevalence and economic importance of cystic echinococcosis in slaughtered ruminants in Burdur,Turkey

This study was conducted between April 2000 and March 2001, in 12-month period. During the study, local slaughterhouses were visited periodically for 1 year to examine the internal organs (livers, lungs, spleens and hearts) for the presence of cysts and total 1355 cattle, 218 sheep and 104 goats were examined for the cystic echinococcosis (CE). It was found that 13.5% of cattle, 26.6% of sheep and 22.1% of goats were infected with this disease. While cysts in cattle (P < 0.001) and goats (P > 0.05) were found mostly in lungs (88.5 and 82.6%, respectively), but they were mostly found in livers (P > 0.05) in sheep. In addition to this, three spleens and one heart in cattle were infected with CE. In this study, the prevalence of CE and the number of cysts in ruminants were found different when the cattle, sheep and goats examined were stratified based on age. The prevalence and the number of cysts increased with age approaching an asymptotic prevalence of one in the oldest animals (P < 0.05). The number of cysts in cattle, sheep and goats were increasing at a rate of 0.31, 0.63 and 0.42/year, respectively. The economic decrease in the value of the carcasses because of the discarded liver and lung as a result of CE was estimated as 1.1% (7.5 US dollars per cattle) for cattle, 4.37% (3.2 US dollars per sheep) for sheep and 4.26% (2.9 US dollars per goat) for goats. The minimum total loss for all infected animals was determined to be 583 US dollars in infected animals, based on the market prices in the year 2002.     

Isolation of Corynebacterium renale from slaughtered cattle at the Zaria abattoir in Nigeria.

Forty urinary bladders were collected from apparently healthy cattle slaughtered at the Zaria abattoir. Twenty-four (60%) were from male animals and 16 (40%) from females. Urine samples were obtained and cultured for Corynebacterium renale. Four (16.7%) of the samples from males and 1 (6.3%) from females were positive. The difference in infection between the sexes was statistically significant (P less than 0.001).     

Hydatidosis of slaughtered animals in Bahir Dar Abattoir,Northwestern Ethiopia

The study was conducted from May 2005 to December 2006 in Bahir Dar Abattoir to assess the current status of hydatidosis in cattle and sheep. Hydatid cyst count and characterization were conducted based on routine meat inspection. Of the total 420 cattle and 340 sheep slaughtered in Bahir Dar Abattoir 143 (34.05%) and 36 (10.6%) animals were found harboring hydatid cysts respectively. Thorough meat inspection in the abattoir revealed that 202 and 54 visceral organs were found harboring one or more hydatid cysts in cattle and sheep respectively. Differences in prevalence rates between the two species of animals were highly significant (P < 0.001). The infection of the lung, liver, kidney, spleen and heart were found to be 57.9% , 36.6% , 3% , 1.5% , 1% in cattle and 50%, 48.1% and 1.9% in sheep respectively. From the total of 864 in cattle and 138 in sheep hydatid cysts counted 315 (36.4%), 268 (31.0%), 65 (7.5%), 216 (25.0%) in cattle and 92 (66.7%), 20 (14.5%), 1 (0.7%), 25 (18.1%) in sheep were found to be small, medium, large and calcified cysts respectively and 484 (56.0%), 164 (18.9%), 216 (25%) in cattle and 35 (25.4%), 78 (56.5%), 25 (18.1%) in sheep were sterile, fertile and calcified cysts respectively. Viability rates of 62.2% in cattle and 78.2% in sheep were observed. The rate of cyst calcification was higher in the liver than in the lung while fertility rate was higher among the cysts of the lung for both cattle and sheep.     

Prevalence and Economic Importance of Cystic Echinococcosis in Slaughtered Ruminants in Burdur,Turkey1

This study was conducted between April 2000 and March 2001, in 12‐month period. During the study, local slaughterhouses were visited periodically for 1 year to examine the internal organs (livers, lungs, spleens and hearts) for the presence of cysts and total 1355 cattle, 218 sheep and 104 goats were examined for the cystic echinococcosis (CE). It was found that 13.5% of cattle, 26.6% of sheep and 22.1% of goats were infected with this disease. While cysts in cattle (P < 0.001) and goats (P > 0.05) were found mostly in lungs (88.5 and 82.6%, respectively), but they were mostly found in livers (P > 0.05) in sheep. In addition to this, three spleens and one heart in cattle were infected with CE. In this study, the prevalence of CE and the number of cysts in ruminants were found different when the cattle, sheep and goats examined were stratified based on age. The prevalence and the number of cysts increased with age approaching an asymptotic prevalence of one in the oldest animals (P < 0.05). The number of cysts in cattle, sheep and goats were increasing at a rate of 0.31, 0.63 and 0.42/year, respectively. The economic decrease in the value of the carcasses because of the discarded liver and lung as a result of CE was estimated as 1.1% ($7.5 per cattle) for cattle, 4.37% ($3.2 per sheep) for sheep and 4.26% ($2.9 per goat) for goats. The minimum total loss for all infected animals was determined to be $583 in infected animals, based on the market prices in the year 2002.     

Cysticercosis of slaughtered cattle in northwestern Ethiopia

The occurrence of cysticercosis due to Taenia saginata in cattle slaughtered for meat in Amhara National Regional State, northwestern Ethiopia between September 2005 and February 2007 was investigated. Routine meat inspection of various organs of 4456 cattle in eight abattoirs of this region showed that 824 (18.49%) were infected with Cysticercus bovis. The occurrence rate did not vary significantly from abattoir to abattoir (P>0.5). The tongue, masseter muscles, heart muscles, triceps muscles and thigh muscles were the main predilection sites of the cysts. Of 4102 male cattle, examined, 768 (18.72%) had cysts of C. bovis while 56 (15.82%) of the 354 female animals investigated were infected. The animals slaughtered were all adults. No significant difference in occurrence was recorded between the sexes. Monthly occurrence of the cysts in the animals revealed a rise of infected animals during the dry season.     

Echinococcosis/hydatidosis in western Iran

In the present study, 115 stray dogs (56 males and 59 females, mixed breed), 86 golden jackal (Canis aureus, 42 males and 44 females), 60 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes, 33 males and 27 females), and three female wolves (Canis lupus) were examined for Echinococcus granulosus infection, as well as, 32,898 sheep, 10,691 goats, 15,779 cattle and 659 buffaloes for hydatid infection from five provinces in western Iran during 3 years (1997-2000). Meanwhile fertility rates of different types and forms of cysts isolated from infected animals and the viability of protoscolices were also determined. Results indicated that 19.1% of the dogs, 2.3% of the golden jackals and 5% of the red foxes were infected with Echinococcus granulosus. 11.1% of the sheep, 6.3% of the goats, 16.4% of the cattle and 12.4% of the buffaloes were also found to be infected with hydatid cyst. The cysts isolated from liver and lungs of the sheep show higher fertility rate than the cysts of liver and lungs of goats, cattle and buffaloes.     

Brucellae through the food chain: the role of sheep, goats and springbok (Antidorcus marsupialis) as sources of human infections in Namibia

A confirmed case of human brucellosis motivated an investigation into the potential source of infection in Namibia. Since domestic animals are principal sources of Brucella infection in humans, 1692 serum samples were screened from sheep, goats and cattle from 4 presumably at-risk farms and 900 springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) serum samples from 29 mixed farming units for Brucella antibodies by the Rose-Bengal test (RBT) and positive cases confirmed by complement fixation test (CFT). To assess the prevalence of human brucellosis, 137 abattoir employees were tested for Brucella antibodies using the standard tube agglutination test (STAT) and by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cattle and sheep from all 4 farms were negative by RBT and CFT but 2 of the 4 farms (Ba and C) had 26/42 and 12/285 seropositive goats, respectively. Post mortem examination of seropositive goats revealed no gross pathological lesions typical of brucellosis except enlarged mesenteric and iliac lymph nodes seen in a single buck. Culture for brucellae from organs of seropositive animals was negative. None of the wildlife sera tested positive by either RBT or CFT. Interviews revealed that besides the case that prompted the investigation, a family and another person from other farms with confirmed brucellosis shared a common history of consumption of unpasteurised goat milk, home-made goat cheese and coffee with raw milk and prior contact with goats, suggesting goats as the likely source of infection. All 137 abattoir employees tested negative by STAT, but 3 were positive by ELISA. The 3 abattoir workers were clinically normal and lacked historical connections with clinical cases. Although goats are often associated with B. melitensis, these studies could not explicitly implicate this species owing to cross-reactivity with B. abortus, which can also infect goats. Nevertheless, these data reinforce the need for a better National Control Programme for brucellosis in Namibia.     

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in cattle, sheep and goats slaughtered for food in Mazandaran province, Iran, during 2005

Serum samples from 290 cattle, 400 goats and 588 sheep slaughtered for food in various areas of the Mazandaran province, Iran were tested for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii by the indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT), from December 2004 to April 2005. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 30% (120/400) goats and 35% (206/588) sheep and 0% (0/290) cattle, at a dilution of 1:16 or more for goats and sheep and 1:128 or more for cattle. The highest titres observed in cattle, goats and sheep were 1:64 (0.7%), 1:128 (1%), 1:64 (2%), respectively. These results indicate that T. gondii antibodies are widespread in the animal populations and suggest that toxoplasmosis is a widely spread zoonotic infection in northern Iran.     

Strain-specific sensitivity estimates of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis culture in Greek sheep and goats

The requirements for the isolation of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map) may be related to the strain-type [sheep (S)- or cattle (C)-type] and not to the host. The objective of this paper was to estimate and compare strain- and biological sample (faeces or pooled-tissue)--specific sensitivities (Ses) of two solid culture media, Herrold's egg yolk medium (HEYM) and Lowenstein-Jensen (LJ) medium, for the isolation of Map from Greek dairy sheep and goats. From 400 faecal samples collected from sub-clinically infected sheep and goats of four flocks and from 214 pooled-tissue samples (142 from sheep and 72 from goats) collected, at the abattoir, from >1-year-old routinely slaughtered animals, with gross pathology suggestive of paratuberculosis, we isolated 34 Map strains. Of those, by the IS1311 PCR, 18 were categorized into the C-type and nine into the S-type; seven were not typed. We used a Bayesian approach to estimate the strain-specific Ses. SeHEYM-C-faecal=17% (95% credible interval: 7, 40) was higher than SeHEYM-S-faecal=2% (0.3, 11). Also, SeHEYM-C-faecal was higher than SeLJ-C-faecal=4% (1, 12). In pooled-tissue samples, the strain-specific Ses did not differ between the two media.     

Epidemiological analysis of the Cyprus anti-echinococcosis campaign: II. The prevalence of hydatid cysts in slaughtered livestock,June–December, 1972

The distribution of livestock in Cyprus was described and analyzed by contingency table methods. Smaller numbers of sheep, goats and cattle were associated with Greek Cypriot villages. Sheep and goat densities were highest in Turkish Cypriot villages. Among the villages in which the slaughter of livestock was reported, the median percent prevalence of hydatid cysts was: 16.5% (range: 0–100%) in slaughtered sheep; 2.1% (0–100%) in slaughtered goats; 0.0% (0–100%) in slaughtered cattle; 0.0% (0–33%) in slaughtered pigs. The median numbers of livestock slaughtered in villages for the 6-month period were 45 sheep, 98 goats, 4 cattle and 32 pigs. The association between the prevalence of Echinococcus granulosus in the slaughtered sheep population (SHPPREV) of 254 villages of Cyprus and human, canine, and environmental factors, for the period June–December, 1972, was analyzed by step-wise multiple regression. Results showed that 25% of the total variation in SHPPREV was explained by 3 independent variables, total rainfall from the previous 6-month period (negatively correlated with SHPPREV), E. granulosus prevalence in dogs (positively correlated) and the percent village population composed of Turkish Cypriots (negatively correlated). Total rainfall from the previous 6-months period, alone, explained 19% of the total variation.