Malihe Roostaei
Mohammad Fallah
Amir Hossein Maghsood
Masoud Saidijam
Mohammad Matini

Background: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a cosmopolitan zoonotic infection which is considered as a significant public health and economic concern. Livestock is the main intermediate host for Echinococcus granulosus. Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence and fertility rate of hydatid cyst among livestock in Hamadan area, western Iran. Methods: A total of ۱۰۶۲۶ livestock carcasses were examined through visual inspection in order to detect hydatid cyst in Hamadan industrial slaughterhouse, during ۲۰۱۵ - ۲۰۱۶. The viability and fertility of hydatid cyst were determined microscopically by flame cell activity and eosin dye uptake. Results: The carcasses, including ۸۶۸۴ sheep, ۱۱۱۰ goats and ۸۳۲ cattle were inspected in order to detect hydatid cyst. An overall CE was detected in ۳% of the inspected carcasses with a prevalence rate of ۵.۳% in cattle, ۳% in sheep and ۱% in goats (P < ۰.۰۰۱). The prevalence rate of infection in the females (۲.۷%) was more than males (۰.۳%) (P < ۰.۰۰۱). All of the infected animals were aged one year or more. The highest rate of infection in internal organs was found in the lungs (۴۷.۲%). The highest and the lowest fertility rate of hydatid cyst were observed in sheep (۶۹.۳%) and cattle (۶.۸%), respectively. The most of hydatid cysts which obtained from cattle (۷۹.۶%) were suppurative or calcified. Conclusions: This study shows that the prevalence rate of CE is considerable in the area and sheep appear to be the most important intermediate hosts for E. granulosus tapeworm.