ULTRASONOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS OF OVINE CYSTIC ECHINOCOCCOSIS |
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Authors: | Eduardo A. Guarnera MD Elisa M. Zanzottera MVD Hector Pereyra MD Anibal J. Franco MVD |
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Affiliation: | Veterinary in Public Health Area, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Veterinary Science, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. |
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Abstract: | 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. |
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Keywords: | ovine cystic echinococcosis hydatidosis ultrasonography |
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