<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Cystic echinococcosis is a cosmopolitan zoonotic infection, commonly seen in areas where livestock and dogs are kept together. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of echinococcosis in slaughtered cattle and sheep in North Macedonia and to evaluate the location and fertility/sterility rates of the cysts. A total of 302 slaughtered animals were examined with visual inspection, palpation, and incision of the internal organs in order to detect cysts. Microscopic examination was carried out to determine the presence of protoscoleces. The overall prevalence of echinococcosis in slaughtered cattle and sheep was 60%. The presence of cysts increased with age in cattle. In both cattle and sheep, the most common affected organs were the liver and lungs infected with more than one cyst. The findings showed higher fertility rate in sheep which confirmed their role as the most important intermediate host. This study shows that North Macedonia is an endemic region, and serious control strategies should be implemented, with special emphasis on safety disposal of infected organs and anthelmintic treatment of the dogs.</p></abstract>

Cystic echinococcosis is a cosmopolitan zoonotic infection, commonly seen in areas where livestock and dogs are kept together. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of echinococcosis in slaughtered cattle and sheep in North Macedonia and to evaluate the location and fertility/sterility rates of the cysts. A total of 302 slaughtered animals were examined with visual inspection, palpation, and incision of the internal organs in order to detect cysts. Microscopic examination was carried out to determine the presence of protoscoleces. The overall prevalence of echinococcosis in slaughtered cattle and sheep was 60%. The presence of cysts increased with age in cattle. In both cattle and sheep, the most common affected organs were the liver and lungs infected with more than one cyst. The findings showed higher fertility rate in sheep which confirmed their role as the most important intermediate host. This study shows that North Macedonia is an endemic region, and serious control strategies should be implemented, with special emphasis on safety disposal of infected organs and anthelmintic treatment of the dogs.

Cystic Echinococcosis in Slaughtered Cattle and Sheep from North Macedonia

Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje

Macedonian Veterinary Review

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

{"article-title":"Cystic Echinococcosis in Slaughtered Cattle and Sheep from North Macedonia"}

Cystic echinococcosis is a cosmopolitan zoonotic infection, commonly seen in areas where livestock and dogs are kept together. The objective of this study was...

Cystic Echinococcosis in Slaughtered Cattle and Sheep from North Macedonia

Published Online: Mar 29, 2022

Page range: 35 - 41

Received: Oct 20, 2021

Accepted: Dec 10, 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/macvetrev-2022-0011

Keywords
Echinococcosis, North Macedonia, cattle, sheep, prevalence

© 2022 Ljubica Rashikj et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Cystic Echinococcosis in Slaughtered Cattle and Sheep from North Macedonia

Published Online: Mar 29, 2022

Page range: 35 - 41

Received: Oct 20, 2021

Accepted: Dec 10, 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/macvetrev-2022-0011

KeywordsEchinococcosis, North Macedonia, cattle, sheep, prevalence

© 2022 Ljubica Rashikj et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
Echinococcosis, North Macedonia, cattle, sheep, prevalence