Title of article :
Prevalence, Fertility, and Viability Rates of Hydatid Cysts in Surgical Patients and Slaughtered Small Ruminants in Ahvaz, Southwest of Iran
Author/Authors :
Razi Jalali, M.H Department of Pathobiology - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran , Ahmadiara, E Department of Parasitolog - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran. , Rahimzade, A Research Center for Food Hygiene and Safety - Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran , Shekarian, M.H Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran , Javidi Dasht-bayaz, J Department of Basic Sciences - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran , Jamshidi, L. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - Urmia University, Urmia, Ira , Nikpay, A Department of Pathobiology - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - Amol University of Special Modern Technologies, Amol, Iran
Abstract :
Background: Echinococcus granulosus is one of the most important zoonotic parasites
having worldwide distribution. The major purpose of this study was to determine
prevalence, fertility, and viability rates of Hydatid Cysts (HCs) in surgical patients and
slaughtered small ruminants in Ahvaz, Iran.
Methods: Liver and lungs of the slaughtered sheep (n=1402) and goats (n=3251) in
Ahvaz, Iran were inspected to find HC. Also, sampling was carried out from surgical
patients in Golestan Hospital of Ahvaz. Fertility and viability of cysts were determined
based on the standard protocols. Data were statistically analyzed by SPSS software.
Results: Totally, 94 (6.7%) sheep and 83 (2.5%) goats were infected with HC. Also, the
younger than 1 year old animals showed less infection rate than older animals (p˂0.05).
The number of fertile cyst among total 1402 sheep and 3251 goats slaughtered in Ahvaz
were 81 and 33, respectively; whereas, the viable protoscoleces number pertaining to the
fertile cysts for sheep and goats were 61 and 9, respectively. Five cases of infected human
patients were recorded during the study period which their cysts were isolated from liver.
Conclusion: It seems to need more efforts to control echinococcosis in Ahvaz, Southwest
of Iran by raising the public awareness. Also, hygienic disposal of the infected organs
(especially liver and lungs) with HC would be effective.
Keywords :
Echinococcosis , Public Health , Food Safety , Iran
