Hydatidosis: prevalence and biometrical studies in sheep in Kerman area, southeast of Iran

A cross-sectional survey was carried out on the sheep slaughtered at the Kerman abattoir from September 2010 to September 2011 to determine the prevalence of cystic hydatidosis. Postmortem examinations on hydatid cyst characterization were conducted. Out of the total of 1,643 animals examined (659 females and 984 males), 165 (10.04 %) were found harboring one or more hydatid cyst. The result obtained from postmortem examinations indicated that a total of 246 visceral organs were found harboring one or more hydatid cysts. The involvement of lung, liver, muscles, and kidney was found to be 49.59, 47.96, 1.21, and 1.21 %, respectively. From the total of 2,129 cysts counted, 875 (41.09 %), 720 (33.81 %), 258 (12.11 %) and 276 (12.96 %) were small, medium, large, and calcified cysts respectively, and 1,083 (50.86 %) and 770 (36.16 %) were fertile and sterile cysts respectively. Out of the 1,083 fertile cysts subjected for viability test, 899 (83.01 %) were viable. In conclusion, these findings of infections, meaning abundance and fertility rates of cystic echinococcosis in sheep slaughtered, prompt plans for further epidemiological studies and controlling programs.