Cystic echinococcosis in marketed offal of sheep in Basrah, Iraq: Abattoir-based survey and a probabilistic model estimation of the direct economic losses due to hydatid cyst

Abstract

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a highly endemic parasitic zoonosis in Iraq with substantial impacts on livestock productivity and human health. The objectives of this study were to study the abattoir-based occurrence of CE in marketed offal of sheep in Basrah province, Iraq, and to estimate, using a probabilistic modelling approach, the direct economic losses due to hydatid cysts. Based on detailed visual meat inspection, results from an active abattoir survey in this study revealed detection of hydatid cysts in 7.3% (95% CI: 5.4; 9.6) of 631 examined sheep carcasses. Post-mortem lesions of hydatid cyst were concurrently present in livers and lungs of more than half (54.3% (25/46)) of the positive sheep. Direct economic losses due to hydatid cysts in marketed offal were estimated using data from government reports, the one abattoir survey completed in this study, and expert opinions of local veterinarians and butchers. A Monte-Carlo simulation model was developed in a spreadsheet utilizing Latin Hypercube sampling to account for uncertainty in the input parameters. The model estimated that the average annual economic losses associated with hydatid cysts in the liver and lungs of sheep marketed for human consumption in Basrah to be US$72,470 (90% Confidence Interval (CI); ±11,302). The mean proportion of annual losses in meat products value (carcasses and offal) due to hydatid cysts in the liver and lungs of sheep marketed in Basrah province was estimated as 0.42% (90% CI; ±0.21). These estimates suggest that CE is responsible for considerable livestock-associated monetary losses in the south of Iraq. These findings can be used to inform different regional CE control program options in Iraq.

Surgical treatment of liver hydatid cyst before autologous stem cell transplantation; presentation of two cases with literature review

“…Although it is more common in endemic regions and in individuals engaged in animal breeding, it can also be seen in non‐endemic regions 6 . Both of our cases came from the Iraqi Basra region, which is considered an endemic region for the disease 7 . Although the liver is predominantly affected, all other organs may be involved.…”

Meat Condemnations and Economic Importance in the Northern and Southern Egyptian Abattoirs

“…These illnesses resulting in huge losses ranging from the morality of livestock, decrease the weight and condemnation of meat at slaughterhouses. Parasitic diseases have a critical effect on human and livestock in developing nations (Abdulhameed et al, 2018). Cysticercosis, dicrocoeliasis, hydatidosis and fascioliasis are major parasitic diseases that have a considerable effect on human health and the safety of meat Pezeshki et al, 2018).…”

Prevalence of Taeniid Eggs in the Faeces of Domesticated and Free-roaming Dogs in Basrah, Iraq, and the Knowledge of Dog Owners on Cystic Echinococcosis

“…Although infection in the intermediate host can be asymptomatic, it can result in severe pathologically changes to the affected organ(s) or even death of the animal/human [18]. Inspection of carcasses at slaughterhouses is an effective, quick and inexpensive means for determining infection in livestock [19]; however, knowledge of the carriage of taeniids in dogs is a key aspect of understanding the risk and biological transmission of these parasites to humans and other animals.…”