Prevalence of Unilocular Hydatidosis in Slaughtered Animals in Aden Governorate-Yemen

The prevalence of cystic echinococcosis (CE) or unilocular hydatidosis caused by Echinococcus granulosus was investigated in four central abattoirs in Aden Governorate, Yemen during the period from October 2008- March, 2009. An overall infection rate with hydatid cysts in carcasses of 7507 livestock (2576 sheep, 4809 goats, 117 cattle and 5 camels) was 0.7% with 1.1%, O.5%, and 2.6% in sheep, goats and cattle respectively. None of the camels was found infected. The infection rates were greater in two years old animals and while the infection was greater among female sheep and goats than males, only male cattle were found infected. Liver cysts were found in 59.3% of infected animals and 37% had multiple cysts involving both liver and lungs. In contrast, 3.7% of infected animals showed cysts in the lungs only. While fertile cysts were found in 78% of infected animals, sterile and calcified cysts were found in 12.7% and 9.3%, respectively