Prevalence and Fertility Survey of Hydatid Cyst in Slaughtered Livestock in Hamadan Abattoir,Western Iran, 2015 - 2016

Background: cystic echinococcosis (ce) is a cosmopolitan zoonotic infection which is considered as a significant public health and economic concern. livestock is the main intermediate host for echinococcus granulosus. objectives: this study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence and fertility rate of hydatid cyst among livestock in hamadan area, western iran. methods: a total of 10626 livestock carcasses were examined through visual inspection in order to detect hydatid cyst in hamadan industrial slaughterhouse, during 2015 - 2016. the viability and fertility of hydatid cyst were determined microscopically by flame cell activity and eosin dye uptake. results: the carcasses, including 8684 sheep, 1110 goats and 832 cattle were inspected in order to detect hydatid cyst. an overall ce was detected in 3% of the inspected carcasses with a prevalence rate of 5.3% in cattle, 3% in sheep and 1% in goats (p < 0.001). the prevalence rate of infection in the females (2.7%) was more than males (0.3%) (p < 0.001). all of the infected animals were aged one year or more. the highest rate of infection in internal organs was found in the lungs (47.2%). the highest and the lowest fertility rate of hydatid cyst were observed in sheep (69.3%) and cattle (6.8%), respectively. the most of hydatid cysts which obtained from cattle (79.6%) were suppurative or calcified. conclusions: this study shows that the prevalence rate of ce is considerable in the area and sheep appear to be the most important intermediate hosts for e. granulosus tapeworm.