Abstract

Studies on some parameters of echinococcal cysts isolated from ruminants slaughtered at Duhok abattoir, Kurdistan region, Iraq

Authors: Araz Ramadhan Issa and Wijdan Mohammed Salih Mero

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.71081/cvj/2023.009

Abstract
In this study some parameters like size, shape, pH, fertility and viability of protoscolices of Echinococcal cysts (EC) isolated from slaughtered ruminants (sheep, goats and cattle) at Duhok abattoir were determined. Throughout this study, 226 cysts were collected from 100 sheep, 64 goats and 62 cattle. Out of the examined cysts, 110 were spherical, 100 oval and 16 elongated in sheep, goats and cattle, respectively. Regarding to the pH of the cyst's fluid of different hosts was nearly neutral, ranged between 7.19±0.74 for liver cysts and 7.37±0.73 for lung cysts. Sheep cystic echinococcosis had the highest fertility rate (81%), followed by goats (39.06%), while cattle had the lowest fertility rate (17.74%). Regarding to the calcified, the highest rate (25%) was observed in goats, 6% in sheep and 3.22% in cattle. Protoscolices viability was higher in sheep (87.21%) than in goats (62.5%). This study revealed that most CEs were spherical and oval, the pH range of cystic fluid was nearly neutral. Sheep cysts were characterized by the highest rate of fertility and viability of their protoscolices. This indicate that the sheep are the principle intermediate host in Kurdistan region and are responsible in perpetuating the life cycle of the parasite and in spreading the disease to other hosts.

Keywords: Echinococcus granulosus, Protoscolices, Hydatid cyst, Intermediate host