Giant cell reaction against the laminated membrane of echinococcus cysts in reindeer lungs.

In 23 pairs of lungs from reindeer two to five years of age, two types of hydatid cysts of Echinococcus granulosus were found: typical well-developed cysts and collapsed degenerated cysts.Collapsed cysts were found in 13 pairs of lungs, well-developed in nine pairs, while both types of cysts were found in one pair of lungs.A giant cell formation was present in the innermost zone of the surrounding adventitial membrane of both collapsed cysts and well-developed cysts. The giant cell reaction seemed to be induced by and directed against the laminated membrane. In the areas of the cysts where the laminated membrane showed a close contact with the adventitial membrane, the giant cells seemed to be actively engaged in the inflammatory process. On the contrary, in the areas of the cysts where the laminated membrane had lost contact with the adventitial membrane, the giant cells were degenerated or necrotic, and the space between the membranes was filled with necrotic cells. In cases where the laminated membrane had been pronouncedly disintegrated, the giant cells were also necrotic or nonexistent.The giant cell reaction which was found even in comparatively young fertile cysts suggests that the reindeer variant of E. granulosus, if such exists, is not especially well-adapted to the reindeer as its intermediate host.     

The prevalence, organ distribution and fertility of cystic echinoccosis in feral pigs in tropical North Queensland, Australia

An investigation was carried out to study the prevalence of Echinococcus granulosus hydatidosis in feral pigs (Sus domesticus) in the Charters Towers region of tropical North Queensland. Data were collected from a total of 238 carcasses, which were hunted and shot in the Burdekin River catchment area. Organs of the abdominal, thoracic, and pelvic cavities were examined for the presence of hydatid cysts. In the laboratory, cysts and hydatid cyst fluids were examined under a stereoscopic binocular microscope and a compound microscope. An overall prevalence of E. granulosus hydatid cysts in feral pigs was found to be 31.1%. There was no significant difference in either sex or age between infected and non-infected feral pigs. The predilection sites of cysts were livers (23%) and lungs (62%), with more cysts in lungs (252) than livers (48). The ratio of livers to lungs infected with fertile cysts was 1:4 compared to 1:8 sterile cysts. The overall fertility of cysts was 70.1%. The percentage of fertile cysts in liver and lung was 79.2% and 68.7%, respectively. The diameter of fertile cysts ranged from 15 to over 60 mm. There was no significant difference in size between fertile and non-fertile cysts in lungs. The high prevalence rate and fertility of cysts in feral pigs confirm that feral pigs can take part in the sylvatic cycle of the parasite in the region. The public health significance of this observation is potentially very important.     

Cystic echinococcosis in water buffaloes: epidemiological survey and molecular evidence of ovine (G1) and buffalo (G3) strains

A survey of cystic echinococcosis (CE) in the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) of the Italian Mediterranean breed was carried out in Campania, a region of southern Italy. In addition, a molecular study was performed on 48 hydatid cysts coming from 48 water buffaloes in order to determine the Echinococcus granulosus strain(s) present in this host. Out of a total of 722 water buffaloes examined for CE, 76 (10.5%) were found infected. The average number of cysts per buffalo was 4.3 (minimum 1, maximum 45). Seventeen buffaloes had hydatid cysts only in the liver (with an average of 5 cysts/liver), 34 only in the lungs (with an average of 1.8 cysts/lungs), and 25 buffaloes had cysts both in the liver and in the lungs. Fertile cysts were found in 10 (13.2%) out of the 76 positive buffaloes. The sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) gene of the 48 hydatid cysts produced sequences of 419 bp for each sample analysed. For 33 samples, alignment of the obtained sequences with those present in GenBank showed a total homology with the common domestic sheep strain G1; for 15 samples, sequences obtained showed 100% homology with buffalo strain G3. The findings of the present survey represent the first epidemiological and molecular comprehensive studies on CE in water buffalo from an endemic area for E. granulosus.     

Fertility and viability rates of hydatid cysts in slaughtered animals in the Mazandaran Province,Northern Iran

The aim of this study was to determine the fertility and viability of hydatid cysts in slaughtered sheep and cattle. Cysts were collected from the liver and lungs of 169 sheep and 171 cattle infected with Echinococcus granulosus when slaughtered in industrial abattoir in Sari, Iran, 2007–2008. Fertility was determined by the examination of cyst fluid for the presence of protoscoleces. The viability of the protoscoleces was assessed by staining with 0.1% aqueous eosin solution. The fertility rates of hepatic cyst of sheep and cattle were 47.1% and 1.4%, respectively and the fertility rates of pulmonary cyst of sheep and cattle were 39.4% and 8.1%. In the sheep, the fertility of cysts in the liver was higher than that in lungs, but in the cattle the fertility of cysts in lungs was higher than liver. The viability of protoscoleces of fertile cysts for sheep and cattle were about 76.9% and 82.5%, respectively. Based on the finding in the present study, effort should be made to control transmission of cystic echinococcosis by safe disposal of Echinococcus cysts such that dogs cannot have access to the cysts.     

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.     

Ultrasonographic screening for cystic echinococcosis in sheep in Tunisia

Sheep from the areas of Fondouk-Jeddid, Bir Mchergua and El Fahs, located in the Northeast of Tunisia, were examined by ultrasonography between 2001 and 2004 in order to assess their infection with Echinococcus granulosus, the agent of hydatid disease, and to evaluate this method as an efficient aire for hydatid cysts. A total of 1039 sheep, aged between 1 and 14 years was examined. The highest prevalence was found in sheep aged more than 8 years. The least infected animals were aged between 1 and 2 years. All hydatid cysts detected by ultrasound were located in the liver. In all age-groups, the dead cysts were more numerous than viable cysts. Eighteen positive sheep were autopsied and a comparison between ultrasound and autopsy results was performed. The results showed a prevalence of about 40% for the three areas. Ultrasonography allowed the cysts, deep or superficial to localize in the central or left part in relation to the caudal vena cava of the animals. Consequently, all the cysts were not detected with this technique. This work shows that ultrasonography confirms the importance of ovine hydatid cyst in Tunisia and that its use as a mass screening approach for cystic echinococcosis in sheep could be helpful for the monitoring of this disease in a hydatid control program without great stress for the animals.     

Cystic echinococcosis in slaughtered sheep in Sardinia (Italy)

Of 771 regularly slaughtered Sardinian breed sheep, 580 (75%) were found infected with Echinococcus granulosus hydatid cysts. Seventy-nine sheep (10.3%) had at least 1 fertile cyst. The prevalence of sheep infected with purulent/caseous cysts, calcified cysts and sterile cysts was 13, 59 and 28%, respectively. The age of sheep was positively associated with the probability of infection that increased 1.15 fold for each further year of age. Fertile cysts were found in the lungs of 46 sheep (6%) and in the liver of 13 sheep (1.7%), and in the lung and the liver of 20 sheep (2.6%). Most fertile cysts were found in the lungs (314) and most sheep were infected with less than 10 cysts. When analyzed by a mixed-effect logistic model, the probability to find fertile cysts in the lungs was three times higher compared to the liver and it increased with the age of the sheep (rho = 0.70, p < 0.001). Of 4072 collected cysts, 532 were fertile, 178 purulent/caseous, 2339 calcified and 1023 sterile.     

Echinococcosis/hydatidosis: its prevalence,economic and public health significance in Tigray region,North Ethiopia

A cross sectional study was carried out to assess the prevalence, economic and public health significance of echinococcosis/hydatidosis in Tigray Regional State, north Ethiopia. Out of 18 stray dogs euthanized and examined, three of them were found harboring the adult parasite Echinococcus granulosus in their small intestine. From 5,194 cattle examined at slaughter houses, 1146 (22.1%) of them were found harboring hydatid cyst. The majority of the infected cattle had hydatid cyst in both liver and lungs. The hydatid cyst infection in the lung, liver, kidney, heart and spleen were found to be 13%, 8.1%, 0.5%, 0.4%, and 0.1%, respectively. The estimated total annual loss from bovine hydatidosis due to offal condemnation (lungs and liver) and carcass weight loss was 25,608 Ethiopian (Eth.) Birr. The present human hydatidosis survey conducted in all six zonal hospitals of Tigray Regional State disclosed one active clinical case in Mekelle hospital during the study period. While, the retrospective data analyses of the six zonal hospitals indicated that eight cases of human hydatidosis were diagnosed since 2000. Thus echinococcosis/hydatidosis is considerably prevalent disease in cattle and it is a serious public health concern in Tigray region.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS OF OVINE CYSTIC ECHINOCOCCOSIS

The sanitary and economic impact of cystic echinococcosis is serious in those countries where it becomes endemic. Ultrasonography is one technique that may be used to diagnose this disease in endemic areas. In parasitized sheep, hydatid cysts appear sonographically as a round hypoechoic structure. Twenty two sheep destined for slaughter were studied sonographically and imaging findings compared to post-mortem findings. Three sheep with hydatid cysts were identified. Eighty additional sheep not destined for slaughter were also studied. Echinococcus granulosus cysts were detected in three animals. Forty sheep from a non-endemic area had no hepatic cysts. The in vivo sonographic study of sheep provides a useful screening tool for echinococcosis.     

Occurrence of hydatidosis in slaughter buffaloes (Bos bubalis) and helminths in stray dogs in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

The study aimed at identifying the occurrence of hydatidosis in slaughter buffaloes and helminth eggs, particularly Taenia spp. eggs in stray dogs' fecal samples in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. The study period was from November, 2004 to April, 2005. A total of 500 buffalo carcasses in a slaughterhouse, at the riversides and individual butchers'sites were examined for the presence of hydatid cysts. The cyst fluid was collected and microscopically examined to determine if it was fertile or not. Of the 500 carcasses examined, 10.6% had hydatid cysts. Specifically, the slaughterhouse carcasses had a 6.7% occurrence of hydatid cysts, whereas those examined at riversides and individual butcher places had 10.0% and 12.7%, respectively. Distributions of the hydatid cysts by specific organs showed single occurrence of 6.4% in lungs, 2.4% in livers and 1.8% in both, livers and lungs. In a total of 53 infected buffaloes, 58.5% were fertile and 41.5% sterile cysts. Overall, 366 faecal samples from stray dogs were collected around buffaloes slaughtering areas (slaughterhouse and individual butcher places), riversides, garbage sites and temple sites. These samples were examined by formalin-ether concentration technique to investigate the presence of different helminth eggs. The total prevalence of Taenia, hookworms, Trichuris/Capillaria,Toxocara, Spirometra and Physaloptera eggs were 12.8%, 18.3%, 19.1%, 12.8%, 1.4% and 1.9%, respectively.     

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.     

Prevalence of hydatidosis and fertility of hydatid cysts in sheep in Kirikkale,Turkey

This study was conducted in order to determine the prevalence and fertility of hydatid cysts in sheep in Kirikkale, Turkey. A total of 3.2% of 553 lambs and 50.9% of 1320 adults were found to be infected with hydatid cysts. The most common locations of cysts were in the liver and lung. Liver cysts tended to be more fertile than lung cysts (81.53% v. 76.47%), though the difference was not significant. The mean number of viable protoscoleces in the liver and lung cysts were 12,400 and 5,800, respectively. In general, 1-10 cysts were found in liver (51.8%) and lung (64.7%). The findings of this study indicate that hydatid cysts are common in sheep and the fertility rate of cysts is quite high. Sheep play an important role in the life cycle of Echinococcus granulosus in this region.     

Prevalence of bovine cysticercosis and hydatidosis in Jimma municipal abattoir, South West Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of bovine cysticercosis and hydatidosis was conducted from October 2007 to March 2008 in cattle slaughtered at the Jimma municipal abattoir. Cyst distribution and viability of bovine cysticercosis and hydatidosis were also determined. A total of 512 carcasses were inspected of which 15 (2.93%) and 161 (31.44%) were infected with Taenia saginata metacestodes and hydatid cysts, respectively. From a total of 109 cysticerci collected from infected carcasses, 47 (43.12%) were viable. The anatomical distribution of the cysticerci was, shoulder muscle (39.5%), heart (33.9%), neck muscle (13.8%), tongue (10.1%), masseter muscles (1.8%) and diaphragm (0.9%). Of the 1171 hydatid cysts collected 223 (19.0%) were fertile, 505 (43.1%) sterile, 49 (29.8%) calcified and 94 (8.0%) contained pus. A greater proportion of fertile cysts were found in the lungs than in other organs. It was concluded that these zoonotic cestodes deserve due attention to safeguard public health, and that further studies are needed on genotyping, epidemiology and public health importance of Echinococcus granulosus in the study area.     

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.     

RADIOLOGIC DETECTION OF OVINE HYDATIDOSIS

Unilocular hydatid disease in humans is of world-wide importance. While surgical removal is the usual treatment, the drug mebendazole has been reported as being active against the cyst wall; other potentially valuable drugs are likely to become available. Naturally infected sheep would be a suitable model for testing drugs against hydatid disease, and a method for selecting infected animals from flocks in areas with a high incidence of this condition would be valuable. To determine whether radiographic examinaiton of the thorax would be a satisfactory method of identifying cysts, the authors radiographed and then killed 93 cull ewes. At necropsy, the lungs were examined, and the nature and distribution of cysts were noted and compared with the findings obtained separately by radiology. A similar study was made on a sheep infected experimentally with a large number of Echinococcus granulosus ova. The technique of thoracic radiography in sheep is described. These studies indicate that there are four different morphologic manifestations of ovine hydatid cyst that may be reliably identified by radiologic examination. They also show that thoracic radiology provides a method for detecting active hydatid infection in sheep and for following the progress of individual cysts.     

Echinococcus granulosus in northern Queensland. 1. Prevalence in cattle

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and geographical distribution of hydatidosis and investigate factors that might be expected to influence the prevalence of hydatids in cattle in Queensland north of the Tropic of Capricorn. To determine the effect of natural levels of infection on carcase weight and subsequent economic loss. PROCEDURE: An abattoir survey conducted in 1981 provided information on the distribution, prevalence and viability of hydatid cysts in cattle from all shires north of the Tropic of Capricorn in Queensland. Livers, lungs and spleens from 10,382 cattle were palpated at abattoirs in Cairns, Townsville and Rockhampton to detect hydatid cysts. Prevalence of infection in cattle in each shire was estimated from results of the abattoir study together with reports of infection in a further 22,185 cattle obtained from abattoir records. Linear modelling was used to define the effect of geographical origin, age, breed and sex on prevalence of infection. Differences in the weights of carcases between infected and non-infected cattle of the same age, sex, breed and property of origin were examined. The economic loss to the beef industry in the region surveyed was estimated. RESULTS: Cattle infected with hydatids originated almost entirely from regions to the east of the Great Dividing Range. The mean prevalence inside this zone was 28% compared with 3% in other areas. Viable protoscoleces were found in 0.7% of cysts. Geographical origin and age of the cattle were the most significant factors influencing prevalence. Infection with hydatids had no effect on carcase weight. Economic loss was limited to that associated with condemnations of organs at meat inspection, estimated to be 0.5 million dollars per annum in 1981 and 6 million dollars in 2004. The distribution of hydatids in Queensland north of the Tropic of Capricorn corresponded most closely with the distribution of small wallabies such as Macropus dorsalis (black-striped wallaby), M parryi (whiptail wallaby) and M rufogriseus (red-necked wallaby). CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that cattle are not an important part of maintaining the life-cycle of E granulosus in Queensland north of the Tropic of Capricorn. Within the endemic zone, which is almost all to the east of the Great Dividing Range, the local pattern of bovine echinococcosis is most likely to be determined by the presence or absence of small species of wallaby such as M dorsalis, M parryi and M rufogriseus.     

Echinococcus ortleppi and E. granulosus G1, G2 and G3 genotypes in Italian bovines

To increase the knowledge on Echinococcus genotypes infesting cattle and water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) born and bred in Italy, the germinal layer of hydatid cysts was collected from the liver and the lungs of 80 animals slaughtered in 2007. Two mitochondrial genes (the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and the NADH subunit I) were tested by PCR. Four genotypes were identified: G1 (sheep strain), G2 (Tasmanian sheep strain), G3 (buffalo strain), and G5 (cattle strain). Fertile cysts were detected only in the lungs of 4.5% of the total G1 lung cysts, of 9.4% of the total G3 lung cysts, and in the only G5 infected animal. This is the first report of Echinococcus ortleppi (genotype G5) in Italy.     

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%).     

The Retrospective Annual Surgical Incidence of Cystic Echinococcosis in Sivas,Turkey

Cystic echinococcosis is an important public health problem in our region. The aim of this study was to assess the surgical incidence of cystic echinococcosis in Sivas, Turkey. A retrospective follow‐up study was carried out between 1997 and 2004. The mean age of 124 men (39.2%) and 192 women was 36.4 years. The liver was the primary site of cyst development (76.6%), followed by the lungs (19.9%), the spleen (5.4%), the kidneys (3.5%) and the peritoneal cavity (3.2%). Mean annual surgical incidence was 6.4 per 100 000 inhabitants for a 7‐year period. The most common site of recurrence was the liver. Hepatic cysts were more frequently infected than pulmonary cysts (P < 0.05). In those patients with an infected cyst, the mean circulating eosinophil level was significantly lower than in those without. Rupture and infection were more common in men (P < 0.01). In conclusion, serious structural, legislative, surveillance, prevention and control measures for echinooccus should be undertaken in our region.     

Prevalence of hydatidosis among donkeys in northern Jordan

One hundred and thirty donkeys (Equus asinus), aged between 5 months and 14 years of age, from the Irbid Governorate in northern Jordan were necropsied between November 1997-May 1999. Of these animals, 16.9% had hydatid cysts in either their lungs and/or livers. No donkeys of 3 years of age or less were infected, where as 33.3% (22 of 66) aged 4 years or greater were infected. Intensity of infection increased with age in a linear fashion. The prevalence also increased with age approaching an asymptotic prevalence of 1 in the oldest animals. This implied there was minimal regulation of the parasite population by intermediate host immunity. The numbers of cysts in the donkeys were increasing at a rate of 0.48 cysts per year from 0.054 infections. The frequency distribution was highly aggregated, consistent with a negative binomial distribution indicating infection of donkeys was not random.