Prevalence of hydatidosis in donkeys from central Jordan

One hundred and twenty-two donkeys from central Jordan were necropsied during the months of June, July and August 1985 and 21 (17.2%) showed evidence of hydatidosis. No donkeys less than 3 years of age were infected, whereas 36.8% (21/57) aged greater than or equal to 3 years were infected. Among the infected donkeys 57.1% (12/21) were hepatic infections, 33.3% (7/21) were hepatopulmonary and 9.5% were pulmonary. Fertile cysts were observed in 47.6% (10/21) of cases. The majority of cysts observed, 67.7% (132/195), were non-fertile immature miliary cysts, and 10.8% (21/195) were necrotic and calcified. The number of miliary cysts on the liver surfaces varied between 5 and 22 (mean = 15 +/- 0.82 s.e.m.). The number of fertile liver cysts varied from 1 to 15 (mean = 3.36 +/- 0.37 s.e.m.). Variable volumes of cyst fluid were found ranging from 0.1 to 132 ml.