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Abstract
The variation in cystic echinococcosis (CE) prevalence and mean intensity was studied
in relation to site, season and host age and sex. A total of 12,911 slaughtered animals,
140 camels, 2668 cattle, 6525 sheep and 3578 goats were inspected for hydatid cysts
in Al Baha region, Saudi Arabia, in three study areas during four seasons from June
2008 to May 2009. The prevalence of infection was 32.85%, 8.28%, 12.61% and 6.56%
in camels, cattle, sheep and goats respectively. The prevalence of the parasite varied
significantly in relation to site, season and host age classes and sex in most host
species. Spring showed the highest prevalence in camels, cattle and sheep. A significant
association was found among host age classes and likelihood of infection in all examined
hosts and the oldest age class was significantly more likely to be infected. The main
effects in parasite intensity were host sex and age in most examined host species.
A positive correlation was found between intensity of CE and host age class in all
animal species examined. The most commonly infected organs were liver and lungs which
constituted 48.75% and 32.83% respectively, of the total infected organs. There was
a significant difference among host species in fertile cysts (P<0.0001). The higher
percentages of fertile cysts were in sheep (47.67%) and goats (23.99%) indicating
that sheep and goats are the most important intermediate hosts for Echinococcus granulosus.
Examined hydatid cysts of the liver had a higher fertility rate (38.79%) than those
of the lungs (25.13%). Cysts size ranged from 1 to 8cm in diameter. The mean cyst
diameter was found in the lungs higher than that in the liver in all hosts. The range
in the number of cysts was 1-33 in infected animals. The mean number of cysts was
higher in lungs than that in liver in all examined animals. The viability rate of
protoscoleces of liver fertile cysts (62.20%) was significantly higher than that of
lung cysts (52.73%). In conclusion, these findings of infection, mean abundance and
fertility rates of CE in slaughtered animals, prompt plans for further epidemiological
studies and control programmes.