Hydatidosis in slaughtered sheep and goats in India: prevalence, genotypic characterization and pathological studies

Abstract

The present study determined the prevalence of hydatid cysts in different organs of slaughtered hilly ‘Gaddi’ breed small ruminants—sheep (n = 230) and goats (n = 197)—in Kangra Valley of the north-western Himalayas, India. Hydatid cysts were found in 12.2% (n = 28) of sheep and 10.7% (n = 21) of goats. Pulmonary echinococcosis was more prevalent in slaughtered sheep and goats (sheep 56.36%; goats 62.90%) than hepatic echinococcosis (sheep 43.64%; goats 37.10%). Fertility rates were higher in hepatic (81.25%) and pulmonary cysts of sheep (83.87%) compared to goats. Molecular identification and genotypic characterization of Echinococcus granulosus isolates were based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 gene (mtCO1). The genotypic characterization identified the isolated strain to be closely related to the G7 genotype. Histopathological examination revealed a thick coat of granulation tissue, causing fibrosis and inflammatory reaction composed of fibroblasts and mononuclear cells around the cysts. In the liver, hepato-cellular degeneration was prominent at the periphery of the cysts. The present study highlights the molecular confirmation and phylogenetic analysis of E. granulosus isolates with the prevalence of hydatidosis in a naïve host species and in an unexplored region. The findings are of significant medical and veterinary importance regarding development of control measures to check dissemination of hydatidosis.

Prevalence and phylogeography of Taenia hydatigena metacestodes from goats of India

“…These guard dogs are being fed with the offal from diseased goats (often infected with cysticercosis) by the goat herder. These infected dogs contaminate the pastures (feces containing eggs), thereby setting up the transmission cycle (Moudgil et al, 2019). Mitochondrial DNA genes are usually considered as most potent targets for genealogical studies (Celik et al, 2021).…”

“…However, no such study has been carried out in definitive hosts. The transmission of various taeniid parasites becomes extremely successful in India as most ideal conditions aid in establishment, propagation and dissemination of these parasites (Moudgil et al ., 2019). The most common practices which result in easy transmission of taeniid parasites involve improper disposal of offal at unregulated abattoirs, easy access of dogs to the offal, absence of proper meat inspection and no or very limited public awareness about the various disease conditions (Singh et al ., 2012).…”

Autoimmunity in human CE: Correlative with the fertility status of the CE cyst

“…Histological analysis revealed the infiltration of mixed inflammatory cells in the adventitial layer similar to a prior study published by Barnes et al (2011). However, Moudgil et al (2019) 2006). Estimating the prevalence of ANA in the CE seemed to be critical to understanding the possible parasitic relationship.…”

Haplotype comparisons of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato via mitochondrial gene sequences (co1, cytb, nadh1) among Pakistan and its neighbouring countries

“…Hydatid cysts were found in 12.2% (28/230) of sheep and 10.7% (21/197) of goats in Kangra Valley of the northwestern Himalayas, India (Moudgil et al, 2019). Moreover, in northern India 4130 animals were examined, 66 (1.6%) were positive for hydatid cysts.…”