Echinococcosis/hydatidosis in western Iran

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Parasitology
• Zoonotic Diseases
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Echinococcus granulosus causes cystic echinococcosis, a significant zoonotic disease.
• Understanding parasite prevalence in definitive and intermediate hosts is crucial for control strategies.
• Western Iran represents a region where domestic and wild canids interact with livestock.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of Echinococcus granulosus infection in stray dogs, golden jackals, red foxes, and wolves.
• To assess the prevalence of hydatid cysts in sheep, goats, cattle, and buffaloes.
• To evaluate the fertility and protoscolices viability of hydatid cysts from different hosts and organs.

Main Methods:

• Parasitological examination of gastrointestinal tracts of canids for Echinococcus granulosus adults.
• Necropsy and organ examination of livestock for hydatid cysts.
• Macroscopic and microscopic evaluation of cyst fertility and protoscolices viability.

Main Results:

• Infection rates: 19.1% in dogs, 2.3% in golden jackals, 5% in red foxes.
• Hydatid cyst prevalence: 11.1% in sheep, 6.3% in goats, 16.4% in cattle, 12.4% in buffaloes.
• Cysts from sheep liver and lungs exhibited higher fertility rates than those from goats, cattle, and buffaloes.

Conclusions:

• Domestic dogs and wild canids in western Iran act as reservoirs for Echinococcus granulosus.
• Livestock, particularly sheep and cattle, are significant intermediate hosts for hydatidosis.
• Geographical and host-specific factors influence hydatid cyst fertility, impacting disease transmission potential.