New insights into the prevalence and phylogenetic diversity of Cysticercus ovis isolates in sheep from Sulaymaniyah, Iraq

Introduction Although ovine cysticercosis is not a zoonotic problem, it results in substantial economic losses due to the condemnation of infected tissues or entire carcasses. This study aimed to record preliminary data on the prevalence, and phylogenetic diversity of Cysticercus ovis isolates from slaughtered sheep in the province of Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. Material and Methods From January to September 2020, 6, 411 slaughtered sheep were examined for C. ovis by routine meat inspection. The amplification and sequence analysis of the COX1 gene for up to 35 specimens of C. ovis was performed using conventional PCR. Results The overall prevalence rate was 1.3%, and the prevalence was significantly higher in older sheep (>1 year) than younger ones (<1 year) (P< 0.05). The cardiac muscle showed a higher tendency to carry C. ovis infection compared to other examined muscles. Sequence analysis of the COX1 gene revealed six haplotypes, and the level of pairwise nucleotide diversity between individual haplotypes was 1–2%. Five out of six of the Taenia ovis haplotypes recovered could have been recorded for the first time globally. Phylogenetic interpretation indicated that all the T. ovis haplotypes clustered in a single clade, and it also indicated an extremely close similarity to Iranian and New Zealand isolates. Conclusions Globally, this report adds new data on C. ovis genetic diversity, which provide an extremely useful molecular background with regard to future preventive as well as control strategies.

Prevalence of some zoonotic parasitic affections in sheep carcasses in a local abattoir in Cairo, Egypt

Meat-borne zoonotic parasites raised from consumption of undercooked and/or crossly contaminated meats can infect human by direct and/or indirect ways causing many mild to serious diseases; so, in the present study, some meat-borne transmissible parasites were investigated in 5239 freshly dressed sheep carcasses in local Egyptian abattoir located at Cairo governorate along the period of 2017-2018. Results of Post- Mortem inspection revealed the detection of Fasciola, Cysticercus and Hydatid cyst in 3.47, 1.06 and 1.83% of the total examined carcasses with total economic losses of 9306.78 L. E, 2892 L.E and 4380 LE, respectively. It is worthily noted that fascioliasis recorded the highest incidence of infection, followed by hydatidosis and cysticercosis in the examined carcasses, respectively. Cysticercus ovis and C. tenuicollis were detected in 32.14% and 67.85% with total economic losses of 714 L.E and 2178 L.E because of infected heart and liver condemnation during 2017 and 2018, respectively. Furthermore, hydatid cyst was detected in 0.47% and 1.35% of the examined lung and liver samples with total economic losses of 1188 L.E and 3192 L.E because of infected lung and liver condemnation during 2017 and 2018, respectively. Referring to the obtained results, it was obvious that parasitic infection of sheep meat and offal constrains a lot of economic losses, threatens the meat production industry and throws lights over the health importance of veterinary inspection great role in protecting human-being from be infested with zoonotic meat-borne parasites. So, magnification and great support should be given to training veterinary inspectors in slaughter houses in Egypt.

Molecular phylogenetic analysis of Cysticercus ovis from Egypt based on MT-CO1 gene sequences

Cysticercus ovis or sheep measles is the larval stage of Taenia ovis, which is the intestinal tapeworm of dogs. It is found in the cardiac and skeletal muscles of sheep and can be the cause of partial or total condemnation of carcasses at abattoirs. The aim of the current work was to determine the prevalence of C. ovis among sheep in Upper Egypt and to present the molecular and phylogenetic analysis of this using the amplified Mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase subunit 1 (MT-CO1) gene. A total of 1885 sheep slaughtered at local abattoirs of 4 different governorates of Upper Egypt (Asuit, Sohag, Qena and Aswan) were carefully examined for C. ovis. The overall prevalence of infection was 2.02%. The highest rate of infection was observed in adult animals over 4 years of age (44.73%). There was no significant effect of animal sex on infection rates. The phylogenic analysis of C. ovis Egyptian isolates showed very close similarity to the New Zealand isolate (AB731675). This is the first report showing the genetic analysis of C. ovis in Egypt, which provides a very powerful tool for taxonomy and definitive diagnosis of C. ovis, which could be helpful for preventive and control programs.

Prevalence of Cysticercus Ovis among Slaughtered Goats in Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Cysticercus ovis the intermediate stage of a canine tapeworm, Taenia ovis, produces cystic lesions in the skeletal and cardiac muscle of goats. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of cysticercus ovis in goats collected from Al Kakee’s Slaughter, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. A number of goats were collected for examination, a total of 51,750 locally raised goats and 61,911 imported goats. The experiment started at May 2017 and ended in April 2018. The results revealed that cysticercus ovis is common among imported goats more than local goats as implied in the tables attached below. As well as the evidence that the highest rate of infections was found during the warm months of summer.

Caracterização das lesões parasitárias de ovinos observadas na linha de abate

RESUMO: Considerando a possibilidade de erros na identificação das lesões e a necessidade de melhorar o diagnóstico, o objetivo desse trabalho foi caracterizar macroscopicamente e microscopicamente as principais lesões parasitárias observadas em ovinos na linha de abate. Os materiais foram colhidos durante duas visitas a um matadouro frigorífico de ovinos no estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Totalizaram-se 161 amostras com lesões parasitárias de ovinos em diferentes órgãos. As alterações observadas incluíam hidatidose, cisticercose por Cysticercus ovis, cisticercose por Cysticercus tenuicollis, sarcocistose (morfologia compatível com Sarcocystis gigantea), fasciolose (Fasciola hepatica) e esofagostomose. Das 161 amostras, 25,5% correspondiam a hidatidose, e os cistos hidáticos foram observados, predominantemente, nos pulmões (46,3%) e fígado (41,5%). Ao corte, os cistos demonstraram três padrões morfológicos: cistos uniloculares viáveis (34%); cistos multivesiculares viáveis (31,7%); e cistos hidáticos (uniloculares e multivesiculares) degenerados (34%). As lesões de cisticercose por C. ovis (22,4%) foram visualizadas no coração (63,9%), língua (13,9%), músculo masseter (11,1%) e diafragma (11,1%). Morfologicamente os cisticercos foram classificados em vivos (viáveis), degenerados e mineralizados. Lesões provocadas por S. gigantea (19,2%) estavam presentes na túnica muscular do esôfago, na língua e na laringe. Macroscopicamente, observaram-se múltiplas estruturas nodulares brancas que continham uma cápsula fibrosa e lúmen preenchido por material gelatinoso translúcido. Cisticercose por C. tenuicollis representaram 18,6% das lesões. Os cistos foram observados aderidos no omento, no mesentério, na cápsula do fígado e na vesícula biliar. Morfologicamente os cistos foram classificados como vivos (viáveis) e degenerados. Os cistos vivos apresentavam a parede translúcida ou levemente opaca, contendo um escólex no seu interior. Os cistos degenerados eram brancacentos, firmes, com espessa cápsula fibrosa e centro mineralizado. Lesões provocadas por F. hepatica corresponderam a 7,4% dos casos. As lesões hepáticas caracterizavam-se macroscopicamente por espessamento variável dos ductos biliares por fibrose e ocasionalmente havia exemplares de F. hepatica no lúmen dos ductos. Em oito casos, observaram-se áreas de acentuada necrose do parênquima hepático. Lesões provocadas por Oesophagostomum spp. perfizeram 6,8% dos casos. As alterações foram observadas no intestino delgado e intestino grosso de todos os ovinos e em dois casos, havia também envolvimento dos linfonodos mesentéricos. Nos intestinos, as lesões caracterizavam-se por nódulos bem delimitados, salientes na serosa, firmes e que invadiam também a camada muscular. Nos linfonodos havia obliteração do parênquima nodal por acentuada mineralização. É extremamente importante a identificação morfológica das diferentes lesões parasitárias encontradas nas linhas de abate em frigoríficos de ovinos, para posterior destino correto das mesmas. As alterações devem ser avaliadas com o intuito principal de reconhecer a sua capacidade infecciosa. Além disso, é fundamental o conhecimento dos locais anatômicos mais comuns em que cada alteração geralmente costuma ocorrer.

Suitability of different tissue fixatives for subsequent PCR analysis of Cysticercus ovis

PCR amplification of specific DNA regions is a powerful tool for retrospective studies, but not all preservation or fixation methods render DNA that is suitable for subsequent amplification. Several factors affect sensitivity of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. There were reported the effects of commonly used fixation solutions — 10 % neutral buffered formalin, 20 % neutral buffered formalin and Carnoy’s solution and the efficiency of PCR amplification in fresh tissue and paraffin (or wax) embedded samples of Cysticercus ovis. DNA from samples was isolated and PCR product of 1300 bp was amplified. Results indicated that the samples fixed in Carnoy’s solution produced reliable amplification of desired fragments. The samples that were fixed in 10 % and 20 % neutral buffered formalin brought negative results.