Prevalence and molecular characterization of cystic hydatidosis in livestock slaughtered in southern Mozambique

Knowledge, attitudes, and perception of dog owners on the transmission, control and prevention of cystic echinococcosis and other gastrointestinal parasites in dogs of Southern provinces of Mozambique

In rural communities of Mozambique, dogs are utilized not only as companion animals, but also for shepherding livestock, guarding, and hunting purposes, increasing exposure of humans to zoonotic parasites. Thus, we conducted a study to assess knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of rural dog owners living in the districts of Gaza and Inhambane provinces, south of Mozambique, on cystic echinococcosis (CE) followed by a survey on the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites with emphasis on Taeniidae infection in dogs from the same districts. A structured questionnaire was administered to 335 dog owners to assess their knowledge, attitudes and perceptions related to the risk factors for transmission, control, and prevention of CE. Responses were analyzed with SPSS software using the Chi-square test. To determine the prevalence of endoparasites, 723 dog fecal samples were collected and processed using a flotation technique to detect helminths/protozoa eggs/cysts/oocysts and modified Ziehl Neelsen staining to detect Cryptosporidium oocysts. Samples positive for taeniids were further processed to identify them to species level using molecular techniques. 3% (10/335) of respondents of the questionnaire were aware of CE which was higher in males (2.7%; 9/335) compared to females, in respondents aged 26-45 years old (2.1%; 7/335), and in agro-pastoralists (1.8%; 6/335). An overall prevalence of 93.7% (678/723) for at least one parasite species was found. Prevalence was 7.6% (55/723) for Spirocerca spp., 50.9% (368/723) for Ancylostoma spp., 4% (29/723) for Toxocara spp., 5.4% (39/723) for Trichuris spp., 8.7% (63/723) for Sarcocystis spp., 8.4% (61/723) for Dipylidium caninum, 8.7% (63/723) for Isospora spp., 2.2% (16/723) for Giardia spp. and 1.7% (12/723) for Cryptosporidium spp. Prevalence of taeniids was 2.4% (17/723) with six isolates identified as Taenia hydatigena and two as Taenia multiceps. Results of questionnaire survey showed that the Knowledge of cystic echinococcosis in districts of southern Mozambique was limited, and we recommend the development of targeted public health campaigns to raise awareness of local communities about transmission cycles and prevention CE. Future epidemiological studies should be conducted to investigate the potential source of CE infections in cattle by screening both wild and domestic canids.

Prevalence and histopathological analysis of hytadid cysts in sheep and cattle slaughtered in Batna, Northeast Algeria

Hydatid disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus (E. granulosus) 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%) (P < 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 (P < 0.0001; OR = 151.47, 95% CI = 63.57-360.92) and adults (P < 0.0001; OR = 10.63, 95% CI = 4.65-24.30) ruminants, especially in summer (P < 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.

Molecular characterization and serodiagnostic evaluation of the Echinococcus ortleppi recombinant glutaredoxin 1 protein for cystic echinococcosis in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by the metacestode of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.), adversely affects the physiology of the vital organs in which they grow. Condemnation of meat causes substantial economic loss to the livestock industry. Conventionally the infection is detected by necropsy as serological diagnosis of the infection in livestock is ambiguous. Identification of specific diagnostic antigens would be a substitute for the cyst fluid antigens which lack adequate diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. BLAST analysis supported by the negligible pairwise nucleotide distance of the 389 nt COX1, 489 nt NAD1, and 425 nt ITS1 with the related sequences of E. ortleppi ascertained the association of E. ortleppi with CE in buffaloes. Given the extensive distribution of glutaredoxin 1 in every developmental stage of Echinococcus granulosus s.l that makes it an ideal serodiagnostic antigen for CE, we expressed the 14 kDa E. ortleppi glutaredoxin 1 (rEoGrx1) protein in E. coli BL21 (DE3) and tested a total of 225 sera samples, including 126 sera samples from the necropsy-positive buffalo, by the rEoGrx1 IgG-ELISA. The ELISA could detect a total of 82/126 sera samples as positive. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the rEoGrx1 IgG-ELISA were 65.1 % and 51.5 %, respectively. The protein showed serological cross-reaction against Fasciola gigantica, Toxoplasma gondii, and Sarcocystis sp. The in silico bioinformatics analysis of the E. ortleppi, F. gigantica, and T. gondii glutaredoxin sequences revealed fully conserved amino acids at positions 11 and 21, the substitution of conserved amino acids at positions 14 and 6, and semi-conserved substitutions at positions 3 and 4, respectively. The findings partly explain the molecular basis of the serological cross-reactivity of the protein.

The Importance of the Slaughterhouse in Surveilling Animal and Public Health: A Systematic Review

From the point of public health, the objective of the slaughterhouse is to guarantee the safety of meat in which meat inspection represent an essential tool to control animal diseases and guarantee the public health. The slaughterhouse can be used as surveillance center for livestock diseases. However, other aspects related with animal and human health, such as epidemiology and disease control in primary production, control of animal welfare on the farm, surveillance of zoonotic agents responsible for food poisoning, as well as surveillance and control of antimicrobial resistance, can be monitored. These controls should not be seen as a last defensive barrier but rather as a complement to the controls carried out on the farm. Regarding the control of diseases in livestock, scientific research is scarce and outdated, not taking advantage of the potential for disease control. Animal welfare in primary production and during transport can be monitored throughout ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection at the slaughterhouse, providing valuable individual data on animal welfare. Surveillance and research regarding antimicrobial resistance (AMR) at slaughterhouses is scarce, mainly in cattle, sheep, and goats. However, most of the zoonotic pathogens are sensitive to the antibiotics studied. Moreover, the prevalence at the slaughterhouse of zoonotic and foodborne agents seems to be low, but a lack of harmonization in terms of control and communication may lead to underestimate its real prevalence.

Food-borne zoonotic echinococcosis: A review with special focus on epidemiology

Echinococcosis is a neglected, WHO-listed cyclozoonotic parasitic disease that is caused by a number of species belonging to the genus Echinococcus. This disease is widespread across the globe, resulting in heavy economic losses for farmers and cystic disease in aberrant human hosts. This review paper briefly discussed taxonomy, a brief history, the magnitude of economic losses, host spectrum and life cycle, risk factors, and clinical manifestations. Furthermore, the copro- and sero-ELISA-based prevalence of echinococcosis on different continents was summarized. Finally, the authors analyzed the frequency and use of molecular epidemiology in the taxonomy of Echinococcus species based on molecular markers. This review will serve as a quick reference to Echinococcus.