Prevalence and Histopathological Analysis of Hytadid Cysts in Sheep and Cattle Slaughtered in Batna, Northeast Algeria

Overview

Journal J Parasit Dis

Specialty Parasitology

Date 2025 Feb 20

PMID 39975609

Authors

Sameh Baghezza

Abdennour Azizi

Asma Amina Foughali

Khireddine Ghougal

Bakir Mamache

Omar Bennoune

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Hydatid disease caused by () represents a significant public health and economic problem. This zoonosis remains endemic in some regions of Algeria. The objectives of the study were to investigate the prevalence of hydatid cysts in cattle and sheep slaughtered at the slaughterhouse in Batna, Northeast Algeria, and characterize associated lesions through histopathology. A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2018 to December 2019, where 13,903 cattle and sheep passed through post-mortem examination of lungs and liver for cyst detection. Samples were collected for histological analysis. Prevalence was compared between species and affected organs, while risk factor determination was based on sex, age, and season. The prevalence of hydatid cysts was significantly higher in cattle (2.16 ± 0.5%) compared to sheep (0.54 ± 0.1%) ( < 0.001), suggesting a species-related susceptibility. In both species, cysts mainly affect the lungs. The prevalence varied significantly based on age, sex, and seasonal factors. The risk of hydatidosis significantly increases in females ( < 0.0001; OR = 151.47, 95% CI = 63.57-360.92) and adults ( < 0.0001; OR = 10.63, 95% CI = 4.65-24.30) ruminants, especially in summer ( < 0.046; OR = 2.14, 95% CI = 1.01-4.54). The histopathological examination revealed various cyst sizes with reactional layers related to host inflammation. Hydatid disease remains endemic in Batna. Comprehensive control through meat inspection, condemnation of infected organs, and dog deworming programs are needed to reduce the public health risks and economic impacts of this critical zoonosis. Improved surveillance allows informed intervention design and assessment of control measures.

References

McManus D, Zhang W, Li J, Bartley P . Echinococcosis. Lancet. 2003; 362(9392):1295-304. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(03)14573-4. View

Abdel-Baki A, Almalki E, Al-Quarishy S . Prevalence and characterization of hydatidosis in Najdi sheep slaughtered in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia. Saudi J Biol Sci. 2018; 25(7):1375-1379. PMC: 6252011. DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2018.04.011. View

Azlaf R, Dakkak A . Epidemiological study of the cystic echinococcosis in Morocco. Vet Parasitol. 2006; 137(1-2):83-93. DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2006.01.003. View

Ernest E, Nonga H, Kassuku A, Kazwala R . Hydatidosis of slaughtered animals in Ngorongoro district of Arusha region, Tanzania. Trop Anim Health Prod. 2008; 41(7):1179-85. DOI: 10.1007/s11250-008-9298-z. View

Abo-Aziza F, Oda S, Aboelsoued D, Farag T, Almuzaini A . Variabilities of hydatidosis in domestic animals slaughtered at Cairo and Giza abattoirs, Egypt. Vet World. 2019; 12(7):998-1007. PMC: 6702554. DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2019.998-1007. View

Ibrahim M . Study of cystic echinococcosis in slaughtered animals in Al Baha region, Saudi Arabia: interaction between some biotic and abiotic factors. Acta Trop. 2009; 113(1):26-33. DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2009.08.029. View

Dakkak A . Echinococcosis/hydatidosis: a severe threat in Mediterranean countries. Vet Parasitol. 2010; 174(1-2):2-11. DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.08.009. View

Budke C, Deplazes P, Torgerson P . Global socioeconomic impact of cystic echinococcosis. Emerg Infect Dis. 2006; 12(2):296-303. PMC: 3373106. DOI: 10.3201/eid1202.050499. View

Ziam H, Kelanemer R, Belala R, Medrouh B, Khater H, Djerbal M . Prevalence and risk factors associated with gastrointestinal parasites of pet dogs in North-Central Algeria. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis. 2022; 86:101817. DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2022.101817. View

10.

Qucuo N, Wu G, He R, Quzhen D, Zhuoga C, Deji S . Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding echinococcosis in Xizang Autonomous Region, China. BMC Public Health. 2020; 20(1):483. PMC: 7158018. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-8314-8. View

11.

Al-Hindi A, Bodell T, Alshmmari A . Molecular and immunological diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis from different hosts in the Gaza Strip, Palestine. Parasite Epidemiol Control. 2023; 21:e00298. PMC: 10068256. DOI: 10.1016/j.parepi.2023.e00298. View

12.

Yang Y, Rosenzvit M, Zhang L, Zhang J, McManus D . Molecular study of Echinococcus in west-central China. Parasitology. 2005; 131(Pt 4):547-55. DOI: 10.1017/S0031182005007973. View

13.

Almalki E, Al-Quarishy S, Abdel-Baki A . Assessment of prevalence of hydatidosis in slaughtered Sawakny sheep in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia. Saudi J Biol Sci. 2018; 24(7):1534-1537. PMC: 6114121. DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2017.01.056. View

14.

Brik K, Hassouni T, Youssir S, Baroud S, Elkharrim K, Belghyti D . Epidemiological study of in sheep in the Gharb plain (North-West of Morocco). J Parasit Dis. 2018; 42(4):505-510. PMC: 6261130. DOI: 10.1007/s12639-018-1026-7. View

15.

Kohil K, El Fegoun M, Gharbi M . Prevalence of Echinococcus granulosus taeniasis in stray dogs in the region of Constantine (North-East Algeria). Bull Soc Pathol Exot. 2017; 110(4):224-229. DOI: 10.1007/s13149-017-0571-4. View

16.

Dar F, Alkarmi T . Public health aspects of cystic echinococcosis in the Arab countries. Acta Trop. 1997; 67(1-2):125-32. DOI: 10.1016/s0001-706x(97)00050-8. View

17.

El Fegoun M, Kohil K, Benguesmia M, Gouasmia S, Aissi M . Cystic Echinococcosis in Algeria: the Role of Cattle as Reservoirs in the Dynamics of Transmission of Echinococcus granulosus to Humans via Dogs. Bull Soc Pathol Exot. 2021; 113(3):130-135. DOI: 10.3166/bspe-2020-0130. View

18.

Mimoune N, Hamiroune M, Boukhechem S, Mecherouk C, Harhoura K, Khelef D . Pathological Findings in Cattle Slaughtered in Northeastern Algeria and Associated Risk Factors. Vet Sci. 2022; 9(7). PMC: 9317034. DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9070330. View

19.

Hidalgo C, Stoore C, Strull K, Franco C, Correa F, Jimenez M . New insights of the local immune response against both fertile and infertile hydatid cysts. PLoS One. 2019; 14(1):e0211542. PMC: 6353198. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211542. View

20.

Jawad R, Sulbi I, Jameel Y . Epidemiological study of the prevalence of hydatidosis in ruminants at the Holy City of Karbala, Iraq. Ann Parasitol. 2018; 64(3):211-215. DOI: 10.17420/ap6403.154. View