Epidemiological study of the cystic echinococcosis in Morocco.
Abstract: The objectives of this epidemiological study on cystic echinococcosis (CE) in Morocco (2001-2004) were to update the prevalence of CE in different animal species living in the most important areas of the country and to collect protoscoleces and germinal layers for genetic research purposes. The post mortem inspection concerned 2948 sheep, 2337 goats, 618 cattle, 482 camels and 455 equines (325 horses, 60 mules and 70 donkeys) in five different regions: the Rif (Mediterranean coast and high mountains of the Rif), the Loukkos (Atlantic northwest plain), the center (Rabat and Casablanca regions), the Middle Atlas mountains and the south (arid and semi desert areas). The global CE infection prevalence rates obtained were 22.98% in cattle, 10.58% in sheep, 12.03% in camels, 17.80% in equines and 1.88% in goats. The infection rates were especially high in the Middle Atlas in cattle (48.72%) and in the Loukkos in cattle and sheep (37.61 and 31.65%, respectively). The majority of infected cattle (49.6%) and sheep (52.1%) had hydatid cysts in both liver and lungs. Except for cattle, the liver was more infected than lungs in all the other animal species. Animals more than 5 years old were the most infected in all species. The mean CE infection rates of these animals were about 56% in cattle, 40% in sheep, 20% in camels, 17.80% in equines and 7% in goats. These rates were much higher in the Loukkos (85% of cattle and 59% of sheep) and in the Middle Atlas (68% of cattle and 45% of sheep) than in the other regions. Results showed that Echinococcus granulosus is in an endemic steady state with no evidence of protective immunity in the intermediate hosts. The mean numbers of infections per year are 0.099 for cattle, 0.063 for sheep, 0.03 for camels and 0.010 for goats.
Publication Date: 2006-02-10 PubMed ID: 16473466DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2006.01.003Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research article presents an epidemiological study conducted between 2001-2004 on the prevalence of cystic echinococcosis in various animal species in Morocco. The study found high rates of infection particularly in cattle and sheep, with the highest recorded in the Middle Atlas and Loukkos regions.
Methodology and Areas of Study
- The study was conducted through post mortem inspection of numerous animals including 2948 sheep, 2337 goats, 618 cattle, 482 camels and 455 equines (comprising 325 horses, 60 mules and 70 donkeys).
- The animals were sourced from five different regions in Morocco: the Rif, the Loukkos, the center, the Middle Atlas mountains and the south. These areas exhibit diverse ecological settings ranging from Mediterranean coast to arid and semi desert regions.
Infection Prevalence
- The study found that the average cystic echinococcosis infection rates were 22.98% in cattle, 10.58% in sheep, 12.03% in camels, 17.80% in equines and 1.88% in goats.
- Highest infection rates were observed in the Middle Atlas in cattle (48.72%) and in the Loukkos in cattle and sheep (37.61 and 31.65%, respectively).
- Most of the infected cattle (49.6%) and sheep (52.1%) had hydatid cysts in both liver and lungs.
- For all animal species except cattle, the liver was more infected than the lungs.
Age and Infection Rates
- It was found that animals over 5 years were the most infected across all species, with mean infection rates being about 56% in cattle, 40% in sheep, 20% in camels, 17.80% in equines and 7% in goats.
- These infection rates spiked in the Loukkos (85% of cattle and 59% of sheep) and in the Middle Atlas (68% of cattle and 45% of sheep) regions.
Final Observations
- The results showed that Echinococcus granulosus, the parasite causing cystic echinococcosis, is in a steady state in Morocco and no evidence of protective immunity in the intermediate hosts was found.
- Average number of infections per year were calculated as 0.099 for cattle, 0.063 for sheep, 0.03 for camels and 0.010 for goats.
The study provides important epidemiological data on the spread and prevalence of cystic echinococcosis in Morocco across various animal species and geographical regions.
Cite This Article
APA
Azlaf R, Dakkak A.
(2006).
Epidemiological study of the cystic echinococcosis in Morocco.
Vet Parasitol, 137(1-2), 83-93.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2006.01.003 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II, BP 6202, Rabat-Instituts, Agdal, Rabat, Morocco. r.azlaf@iav.ac.ma
MeSH Terms
- Abattoirs
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Camelus / parasitology
- Cattle
- Cattle Diseases / epidemiology
- Cattle Diseases / parasitology
- Echinococcosis / epidemiology
- Echinococcosis / veterinary
- Echinococcosis, Hepatic / epidemiology
- Echinococcosis, Hepatic / parasitology
- Echinococcosis, Hepatic / veterinary
- Echinococcosis, Pulmonary / epidemiology
- Echinococcosis, Pulmonary / parasitology
- Echinococcosis, Pulmonary / veterinary
- Echinococcus granulosus / isolation & purification
- Equidae / parasitology
- Geography
- Goat Diseases / epidemiology
- Goat Diseases / parasitology
- Goats
- Morocco / epidemiology
- Prevalence
- Risk Factors
- Sheep
- Sheep Diseases / epidemiology
- Sheep Diseases / parasitology
Citations
This article has been cited 62 times.- Alvi MA, Alshammari A, Ali RMA, Ul Haq S, Bashir R, Li L, Saqib M, Sajid MS, Ghafoor M, Imran M, Ijaz MU, Fu BQ, Saeed M, Ahmad I, Liu YY, Yan HB, Jia WZ. Revealing novel cytb and nad5 genes-based population diversity and benzimidazole resistance in Echinococcus granulosus of bovine origin.. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1191271.
- Al-Hindi AI, Bodell T, Alshmmari A. Molecular and immunological diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis from different hosts in the Gaza Strip, Palestine.. Parasite Epidemiol Control 2023 May;21:e00298.
- Khan S, Cable J, Younus M, Rashid MI, Hailer F, Akbar H. IEg67 kDa Bovine Hydatid Cyst Antigen: A Candidate for Developing Sero-Diagnostic Assays for Cystic Echinococcosis, a Disease of One Health Importance.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Feb 27;13(5).
- Shoulah SA, Gaballa MMS, Marawan MA, Saqr SA, Abdelhady A, Alzahrani HA, Wakid MH, Al-Jabr OA, Selim A. Pathological Findings and Oxidative Stress Status Associated with Hydatidosis in Dromedary Camels.. Vet Sci 2023 Jan 19;10(2).
- Mulinge E, Zeyhle E, Mbae C, Gitau L, Kaburu T, Magambo J, Mackenstedt U, Romig T, Kern P, Wassermann M. Cystic echinococcosis in donkeys in eastern Africa.. Parasitology 2023 Apr;150(5):468-475.
- Elshahawy IS, El-Seify MA, Ahamed ZK, Fawaz MM. Occurrence and Phylogenetic Description of Cystic Echinococcosis Isolate from Egyptian Camel (Camelus Dromedarius).. Helminthologia 2022 Sep;59(3):253-264.
- Saleem S, Ahmed H, Imdad K, Zhang J, Cao J. An Epidemiological Survey to Investigate the Prevalence of Cystic Echinococcosis in Slaughtered Bovine Hosts in Punjab, Pakistan.. Vet Sci 2023 Jan 5;10(1).
- Selcuk MA, Celik F, Kesik HK, Gunyakti Kilinc S, Ahmed H, Jiang N, Simsek S, Cao J. In Silico Evaluation of the Haplotype Diversity, Phylogenetic Variation and Population Structure of Human E. granulosus sensu stricto (G1 Genotype) Sequences.. Pathogens 2022 Nov 14;11(11).
- Shabani M, Solhjoo K, Taghipour A, Jahromi AS, Karami S, Armand B. The occurrence of cystic echinococcosis in slaughtered livestock in Jahrom, south of Iran.. Parasite Epidemiol Control 2022 Nov;19:e00274.
- Mathewos M, Dawa D, Yirgalem M, Denano T, Fesseha H. Cystic echinococcosis in cattle slaughtered at a slaughterhouse in Gessa, southern Ethiopia.. Parasite Epidemiol Control 2022 Aug;18:e00262.
- Essa RA, Ahmed SK, Mohamed MG. Pulmonary hydatid cyst mimicking lung tumor in a heavy smoker patient- Uniportal VATS management.. Int J Surg Case Rep 2022 Jun;95:107138.
- Al-Masoudi HK, Al-Hamadani KC, Khiarull IA. Interleukin 17 Cytokine Profiles in Patients with Cystic Echinococcosis in Babylon Province, Iraq.. Arch Razi Inst 2021 Nov;76(5):1493-1500.
- Al Malki J, Ahmed N. Epidemiological and histomorphic studies in sheep infected with hydatid cyst in Taif area.. Saudi J Biol Sci 2022 Feb;29(2):886-893.
- Hajimohammadi B, Dalimi A, Eslami G, Ahmadian S, Zandi S, Baghbani A, Hosseini SS, Askari V, Sheykhzadegan M, Ardekani MN, Boozhmehrani MJ, Ranjbar MJ, Ghoshouni H, Vakili M. Occurrence and genetic characterization of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato from domestic animals in Central Iran.. BMC Vet Res 2022 Jan 7;18(1):22.
- Gao Y, Wang W, Lyu C, Wei XY, Chen Y, Zhao Q, Ran ZG, Xia YQ. Meta-Analysis of the Prevalence of Echinococcus in Sheep in China From 1983 to 2020.. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021;11:711332.
- M'rad S, Chaâbane-Banaoues R, Ghrab M, Babba H, Oudni-M'rad M. Human and animal cystic echinococcosis in Tataouine governorate: hypoendemic area in a hyperendemic country, myth or reality?. Parasit Vectors 2021 Apr 21;14(1):216.
- Khan SN, Ali R, Khan S, Norin S, Rooman M, Akbar NU, Khan TA, Haleem S, Khan MA, Ali I. Cystic echinococcosis: an emerging zoonosis in southern regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.. BMC Vet Res 2021 Apr 1;17(1):139.
- Amarir F, Rhalem A, Sadak A, Raes M, Oukessou M, Saadi A, Bouslikhane M, Gauci CG, Lightowlers MW, Kirschvink N, Marcotty T. Control of cystic echinococcosis in the Middle Atlas, Morocco: Field evaluation of the EG95 vaccine in sheep and cesticide treatment in dogs.. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021 Mar;15(3):e0009253.
- Dehghani M, Mohammadi MA, Hemmati S, Nasibi S, Rostami S, Fasihi Harandi M. Cystic Echinococcosis of Camels: 12S rRNA Gene Variation Revealed Changing Pattern of Genetic Diversity Within Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato in the Middle East and North/Sub-Saharan Africa.. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:618.
- Saadi A, Amarir F, Filali H, Thys S, Rhalem A, Kirschvink N, Raes M, Marcotty T, Oukessou M, Duchateau L, Sahibi H, Antoine-Moussiaux N. The socio-economic burden of cystic echinococcosis in Morocco: A combination of estimation method.. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020 Jul;14(7):e0008410.
- El-Dakhly KM, Arafa WM, El-Nahass EN, Shokier KAM, Noaman AF. The current prevalence and diversity of cystic echinococcosis in slaughtered animals in Egypt.. J Parasit Dis 2019 Dec;43(4):711-717.
- Tahiri S, Naoui H, Iken M, Azelmat S, Khallayoune M, Bouchrik M, Lmimouni BE. Genotyping of human Echinococcus granulosus cyst in Morocco.. J Parasit Dis 2019 Dec;43(4):560-565.
- Lucas JR, Arias CA, Balcázar-Nakamatsu SS, Rodríguez AP, Alroy KA, Gavidia CM. Economic Effect of Confiscation of Cattle Viscera Infected with Cystic Echinococcosis, Huancayo Province, Peru.. Emerg Infect Dis 2019 Dec;25(12):2278-2280.
- Mirzanejad-Asl H. Echinococcus contamination ratio and its related risk factors in Moghan plain, northwest of Iran.. Trop Parasitol 2019 Jul-Dec;9(2):83-87.
- Abo-Aziza FAM, Oda SS, Aboelsoued D, Farag TK, Almuzaini AM. Variabilities of hydatidosis in domestic animals slaughtered at Cairo and Giza abattoirs, Egypt.. Vet World 2019 Jul;12(7):998-1007.
- Guduro GG, Desta AH. Cyst Viability and Economic Significance of Hydatidosis in Southern Ethiopia.. J Parasitol Res 2019;2019:2038628.
- Ohiolei JA, Yan HB, Li L, Magaji AA, Luka J, Zhu GQ, Isaac C, Odoya ME, Wu YT, Alvi MA, Muku RJ, Fu BQ, Jia WZ. Cystic echinococcosis in Nigeria: first insight into the genotypes of Echinococcus granulosus in animals.. Parasit Vectors 2019 Aug 7;12(1):392.
- Thys S, Sahibi H, Gabriël S, Rahali T, Lefèvre P, Rhalem A, Marcotty T, Boelaert M, Dorny P. Community perception and knowledge of cystic echinococcosis in the High Atlas Mountains, Morocco.. BMC Public Health 2019 Jan 28;19(1):118.
- Brik K, Hassouni T, Youssir S, Baroud S, Elkharrim K, Belghyti D. Epidemiological study of Echinococcus granulosus in sheep in the Gharb plain (North-West of Morocco).. J Parasit Dis 2018 Dec;42(4):505-510.
- Gholami S, Tanzifi A, Sharif M, Daryani A, Rahimi MT, Mirshafiee S, Sarvi S. Demographic aspects of human hydatidosis in Iranian general population based on serology: A systematic review and meta-analysis.. Vet World 2018 Nov;11(10):1385-1396.
- Abdel-Baki AS, Almalki E, Al-Quarishy S. Prevalence and characterization of hydatidosis in Najdi sheep slaughtered in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia.. Saudi J Biol Sci 2018 Nov;25(7):1375-1379.
- Haleem S, Niaz S, Qureshi NA, Ullah R, Alsaid MS, Alqahtani AS, Shahat AA. Incidence, Risk Factors, and Epidemiology of Cystic Echinococcosis: A Complex Socioecological Emerging Infectious Disease in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Province of Pakistan.. Biomed Res Int 2018;2018:5042430.
- Almalki E, Al-Quarishy S, Abdel-Baki AS. Assessment of prevalence of hydatidosis in slaughtered Sawakny sheep in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia.. Saudi J Biol Sci 2017 Nov;24(7):1534-1537.
- Abdulhameed MF, Habib I, Al-Azizz SA, Robertson I. 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.. Parasite Epidemiol Control 2018 Feb;3(1):43-51.
- Corrêa F, Stoore C, Horlacher P, Jiménez M, Hidalgo C, Alvarez Rojas CA, Figueiredo Barros G, Bunselmeyer Ferreira H, Hernández M, Cabrera G, Paredes R. First description of Echinococcus ortleppi and cystic echinococcosis infection status in Chile.. PLoS One 2018;13(5):e0197620.
- Khan A, Naz K, Ahmed H, Simsek S, Afzal MS, Haider W, Ahmad SS, Farrakh S, Weiping W, Yayi G. Knowledge, attitudes and practices related to cystic echinococcosis endemicity in Pakistan.. Infect Dis Poverty 2018 Jan 22;7(1):4.
- Jazouli M, Lightowlers M, Gauci CG, Tadlaoui K, Belmlih A, Ennaji MM, Elharrak M. Vaccination Against Hydatidosis: Molecular Cloning and Optimal Expression of the EG95NC(-) Recombinant Antigen in Escherichia coli.. Protein J 2017 Dec;36(6):472-477.
- Chebli H, Laamrani El Idrissi A, Benazzouz M, Lmimouni BE, Nhammi H, Elabandouni M, Youbi M, Afifi R, Tahiri S, Essayd El Feydi A, Settaf A, Tinelli C, De Silvestri A, Bouhout S, Abela-Ridder B, Magnino S, Brunetti E, Filice C, Tamarozzi F. Human cystic echinococcosis in Morocco: Ultrasound screening in the Mid Atlas through an Italian-Moroccan partnership.. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017 Mar;11(3):e0005384.
- Chalechale A, Hashemnia M, Rezaei F, Sayadpour M. Echinococcus granulosus in humans associated with disease incidence in domestic animals in Kermanshah, west of Iran.. J Parasit Dis 2016 Dec;40(4):1322-1329.
- Shahbazi Y, Hashemnia M, Afshari Safavi EA. A retrospective survey of hydatidosis based on abattoir data in Kermanshah, Iran from 2008 to 2013.. J Parasit Dis 2016 Jun;40(2):459-63.
- Banda F, Nalubamba KS, Muma JB, Munyeme M, Mweemba Munang'andu H. A Cross-Sectional Study Investigating Cystic Hydatidosis in Slaughtered Cattle of Western Province in Zambia.. ISRN Parasitol 2013;2013:468163.
- El Berbri I, Ducrotoy MJ, Petavy AF, Fassifihri O, Shaw AP, Bouslikhane M, Boue F, Welburn SC, Dakkak A. Knowledge, attitudes and practices with regard to the presence, transmission, impact, and control of cystic echinococcosis in Sidi Kacem Province, Morocco.. Infect Dis Poverty 2015 Nov 9;4:48.
- Assefa H, Mulate B, Nazir S, Alemayehu A. Cystic echinococcosis amongst small ruminants and humans in central Ethiopia.. Onderstepoort J Vet Res 2015 Aug 21;82(1):E1-7.
- Dinc B, Dusen S, Ay N, Dinc SE, Mayir B, Gunduz UR, Musri OC, Bas B, Dogan U, Oskay A. Platelet function parameters in management of hepatic hydatid disease: a case-controlled study.. Int J Clin Exp Med 2015;8(3):3869-75.
- Tembo W, Nonga HE. A survey of the causes of cattle organs and/or carcass condemnation, financial losses and magnitude of foetal wastage at an abattoir in Dodoma, Tanzania.. Onderstepoort J Vet Res 2015 Apr 16;82(1):855.
- Eslami A, Shayan P, Bokaei S. Morphological and genetic characteristics of the liver hydatid cyst of a donkey with iran origin.. Iran J Parasitol 2014 Sep;9(3):302-10.
- Abebe A, Beyene D, Kumsa B. Cystic echinococcosis in cattle slaughtered at Gondar Elfora export Abattoir, northwest Ethiopia.. J Parasit Dis 2014 Dec;38(4):404-9.
- Al-Kitani F, Baqir S, Hussain MH, Roberts D. Cystic hydatidosis in slaughtered goats from various municipal abattoirs in Oman.. Trop Anim Health Prod 2014 Dec;46(8):1357-62.
- Otero-Abad B, Torgerson PR. A systematic review of the epidemiology of echinococcosis in domestic and wild animals.. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2013;7(6):e2249.
- Zaharie F, Bartos D, Mocan L, Zaharie R, Iancu C, Tomus C. Open or laparoscopic treatment for hydatid disease of the liver? A 10-year single-institution experience.. Surg Endosc 2013 Jun;27(6):2110-6.
- Grosso G, Gruttadauria S, Biondi A, Marventano S, Mistretta A. Worldwide epidemiology of liver hydatidosis including the Mediterranean area.. World J Gastroenterol 2012 Apr 7;18(13):1425-37.
- Balkaya I, Simsek S. A serological survey of cystic echinococcosis in equids in East of Turkey.. Iran J Parasitol 2011 Dec;6(4):46-50.
- Mellau BL, Nonga HE, Karimuribo ED. Slaughter stock abattoir survey of carcasses and organ/offal condemnations in Arusha region, northern Tanzania.. Trop Anim Health Prod 2011 Apr;43(4):857-64.
- Pour AA, Hosseini SH, Shayan P. Comparative genotyping of Echinococcus granulosus infecting buffalo in Iran using cox1 gene.. Parasitol Res 2011 May;108(5):1229-34.
- Inangolet FO, Biffa D, Opuda-Asibo J, Oloya J, Skjerve E. Distribution and intensity of Echinococcus granulosus infections in dogs in Moroto District, Uganda.. Trop Anim Health Prod 2010 Oct;42(7):1451-7.
- Berhe G. Abattoir survey on cattle hydatidosis in Tigray Region of Ethiopia.. Trop Anim Health Prod 2009 Oct;41(7):1347-52.
- Snábel V, Altintas N, D'Amelio S, Nakao M, Romig T, Yolasigmaz A, Gunes K, Turk M, Busi M, Hüttner M, Sevcová D, Ito A, Altintas N, Dubinský P. Cystic echinococcosis in Turkey: genetic variability and first record of the pig strain (G7) in the country.. Parasitol Res 2009 Jul;105(1):145-54.
- Nonga HE, Karimuribo ED. A retrospective survey of hydatidosis in livestock in Arusha, Tanzania, based on abattoir data during 2005-2007.. Trop Anim Health Prod 2009 Oct;41(7):1253-7.
- Ernest E, Nonga HE, Kassuku AA, Kazwala RR. Hydatidosis of slaughtered animals in Ngorongoro district of Arusha region, Tanzania.. Trop Anim Health Prod 2009 Oct;41(7):1179-85.
- Kebede W, Hagos A, Girma Z, Lobago F. Echinococcosis/hydatidosis: its prevalence, economic and public health significance in Tigray region, North Ethiopia.. Trop Anim Health Prod 2009 Aug;41(6):865-71.
- Rinaldi L, Maurelli MP, Veneziano V, Capuano F, Perugini AG, Cringoli S. The role of cattle in the epidemiology of Echinococcus granulosus in an endemic area of southern Italy.. Parasitol Res 2008 Jun;103(1):175-9.
- Varcasia A, Canu S, Kogkos A, Pipia AP, Scala A, Garippa G, Seimenis A. Molecular characterization of Echinococcus granulosus in sheep and goats of Peloponnesus, Greece.. Parasitol Res 2007 Sep;101(4):1135-9.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists