Prevalence of Unilocular Hydatidosis in Slaughtered Animals in Aden Governorate-Yemen

The prevalence of cystic echinococcosis (ce) or unilocular hydatidosis caused by echinococcus granulosus was investigated in four central abattoirs in aden governorate, yemen during the period from october 2008- march, 2009. an overall infection rate with hydatid cysts in carcasses of 7507 livestock (2576 sheep, 4809 goats, 117 cattle and 5 camels) was 0.7% with 1.1%, o.5%, and 2.6% in sheep, goats and cattle respectively. none of the camels was found infected. the infection rates were greater in >two years old animals and while the infection was greater among female sheep and goats than males, only male cattle were found infected. liver cysts were found in 59.3% of infected animals and 37% had multiple cysts involving both liver and lungs. in contrast, 3.7% of infected animals showed cysts in the lungs only. while fertile cysts were found in 78% of infected animals, sterile and calcified cysts were found in 12.7% and 9.3%, respectively