Abstract:
A cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted to estimate the
prevalence, investigate risk factors of hydatidosis in camels slaughtered at
Elfashir abattoir in North Darfur and the economic impact due to hydatidosis
infection. Three hundreds and eighty seven camels were investigated for
hydatidosis from November 2010 to February 2011 in the study area, 241
(62.3%) from northern El Fashir and 146 (37.7%) from western El Fashir.
Two hundred and thirteen camels were found to be infected with hydatid
cysts giving a prevalence rate of 55%, with an infected camels 128 (60%)
from Northern El Fashir and 85 (40%) from western El Fashir.One hundred
and twonty three (57.7%) camels were infected in the lung, 29 (13.6%) in the
liver, 5 (2.3%) in the spleen, 38 (17.8%) in both organs the lung and the liver,
14 (6.6%) in the lung and spleen, 2 (1%) in the liver and spleen and 2 (1%) in
three organs the lung, liver and spleen.
Nine hundreds and sixty six hydatid cysts were encountered in
examined animals. Organ distribution of hydatid cysts with single and
multiple organs involved was, 460 (47.6%) were found in the lung, 53 (5.5%)
X
in the liver, 5 (0.5%) in the spleen, 348 (36%) in the lung and liver, 79 (8.2)
in the lung and spleen, 9 (1%) in the liver and spleen and 12 (1.2%) in the
lung, liver and spleen. No cysts were observed in the heart, kidney and in the
mesentery.
The hydatid cyst diameter ranged from 0.5 cm to 6.4 cm, while the cyst
volume ranged from 1 ml to 87 ml, so the cyst size was categorized in to
three categories: less than 10 ml (small), 10 to 20 ml (medium) and more than
20 ml (large). From 966 hydatid cysts observed, 239 (24.7%) were small
cysts, 462 (47.8%) medium cysts and 265 (27.4%) large cysts.
Out of nine hundreds and sixty six hydatid cysts observed, 408 (42.2%)
hydatid cysts were viable, 197 (20.4%) were not viable, 157 (16.3%) were
sterile and 204 (21.1%) were calcified. The classification of 966 hydatid cysts
according to their fertility status shown that from, 183 (18.9%) in the liver,
100 (24.5%) were found to be viable, 28 (14.2%) not viable, 25 (15.9%)
sterile and 30 (14.7%) were calcified. While from 751 (77.7%) cyst in the
lung, 288 (70.6%) were viable, 162 (82.2%) were not, 129 (82.2%) were
sterile and 172 (84.3%) were calcified. Also, from 32 (3.3%) in the spleen, 20
(5%) were viable, 7 (3.6%) were not, 3 (1.9%) were sterile and 2 (1%) were
calcified.
The risk factors like age and other diseases were found significantly
associated with hydatidosis with a p-value of 0.002 and 0.001 respectively.
The rest of the potential risk factors (sex, body condition, origin and colour)
investigated were not found to be significantly associated with hydatidosis.
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In economic losses, the cost of condemned organs due to hydatid cyst
infection in this study was 12020 SDP (4451.9 USD). The total annual
economic loss incurred due to hydatidosis in camels slaughtered at North
Darfur abattoir was estimated to 36060 SDP (13355.6 USD). The losses from
additional production factors (decreased carcass weight and decreased milk
production) were taken into account; the lowest carcass weight was 214 kilo
while highest carcass weight was 357 kilo.
