Study on the prevalence of cystic hydatidosis and its economic significance in cattle slaughtered at Hawassa Municipal abattoir, Ethiopia

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2008 to March 2009 to assess the status of cystic hydatidosis in cattle slaughtered at Hawassa Municipal abattoir. Out of the total 632 cattle examined visually and manually (palpation and incision), 333 (52.69%) were found harboring hydatid cysts. A significantly higher infection was detected in older cattle (P < 0.05, chi(2) = 4.36) than young. Regarding body condition score, no significant variation (P > 0.05, chi(2) = 2.148) was observed as the prevalence was 54.55% for lean cattle followed by medium (53.83%) and fat (46.88%). Of the total 333 infected, 123 (36.9%) had hydatid cysts only in the lung, 23 (6.9%) in the liver, 12 (3.6%) in the spleen, five (1.5%) in the heart, and three (0.9%) in the kidney while the rest 167 (50.2%) had multiple organ infections. Of the 530 viscera harboring hydatid cysts, the highest (52.83%) was lung followed by liver (34.15%), spleen (9.06%), heart (3.39%), and kidney (0.56%). Size assessment made on 874 cysts indicated that 308 (35.3%) were small, 251 (28.7%) medium, 89 (10.2%) large, and 226 (25.9%) were calcified. The distribution of characterized cysts in different organs based on their size was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05). In addition, out of the total 874 cysts collected, 26.9% were fertile, 47.3% sterile, and 25.9% calcified or purulent cysts. There was a significant difference in fertility of cyst from different organs (P < 0.05, chi(2) = 27.96), those of lung origin being highly fertile. Likewise, out of the 121 fertile cysts subjected for viability test, 68 (56.2%) were viable. Considering the current result, the total annual economic loss from organ condemnation and carcass weight loss due to bovine hydatidosis at Hawassa Municipal abattoir was estimated at 1,791,625.89 Ethiopian Birr (ETB; 1USD = 12.93ETB). Results in the study were discussed in light of the situation in different parts of Ethiopia and abroad, and finally, relevant recommendations were forwarded.

Study on Prevalence and Economic Significance of Bovine Hydatidosis in Bako Muncipal Abattoir, West Shoa Zone, Oromiya Regional State

“…This finding is closer to that reported as 15.4% by Regassa et al [15] and 16% by Kebede et al [16]. However, it is lower than the findings from different places in Ethiopia like 61% in Assela [17], 52.69% in Hawassa [15], 48.9% in Debre Markos [16], 46.5% in Debre Zeit [18], 34.05% in Bahir Dar [19], 32.1% in Mekelle [8], and 22% in Tigray [20]. Factors like difference in culture, social activity, animal husbandry systems, lack of proper removal of infectious carcass, and attitude to dogs in different regions might have contributed to the variation in prevalence in different areas of a country [21,22].…”

“…The current estimate is approximately greater than (25,608ETB) that estimated by Kebede et al [20] in Tigray region. However, it is lower than 1,791,625.89 ETB that estimated by Regassa et al [15] in Hawassa municipal abattoir. The difference in economic loss estimates in various abattoir/regions may be due to the variations in the prevalence of disease, mean annual number of cattle slaughtered in different abattoirs, and variation in the retail market price of organs.…”

Prevalence, cyst viability, organ distributions and financial losses due to hydatidosis in cattle slaughtered at Nekemte municipal abattoir, Western Ethiopia

“…This result agrees with the findings of Bizuwork et al (2013) (2011). On the contrary to the current findings, high prevalence rates were registered in other areas of the country such as 61% in Assela (Koskei, 1998), 52.69% in Hawassa (Regassa et al, 2010), 48.9% in Debre Markos (Kebede et al, 2009a), 46.5% in Debre Zeit (Jobre et al, 1996), 40.5% at Addis Abeba abattoir enterprise (Dechassa et al, 2012), 34.05% in Bahir Dar (Kebede et al, 2009c), 32.1% in Mekelle (Berhe, 2009), 23.17% in Nekemte (Abunna et al, 2011), 22.98% from Morocco by Azlaf and Dakkak (2006) and 22% in Tigray (Kebede et al, 2009d). A possible reason for the difference in the prevalence of hydatidosis might be due to the contact between large numbers of stray dogs with the herd of cattle.…”

Retrospective study on Cystic Echinococcosis in cattle of Italy

“…The higher number of degenerate cysts in liver (60.1%) may be attributed to relatively higher reticuloendothelial cells and abundant connective tissue reaction of the organ [38].…”