Hamadan University of Medical Sciences Avicenna Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infection 2383-0298 4 2 2017 05 01 Prevalence and Fertility Survey of Hydatid Cyst in Slaughtered Livestock in Hamadan Abattoir, Western Iran, 2015 - 2016 43361 43361 10.5812/ajcmi.43361 EN Malihe Roostaei Mohammad Fallah Amir Hossein Maghsood Masoud Saidijam Mohammad Matini Journal Article 10.5812/ajcmi.43361 2016 10 25 2017 01 05 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 10626 livestock carcasses were examined through visual inspection in order to detect hydatid cyst in Hamadan industrial slaughterhouse, during 2015 - 2016. The viability and fertility of hydatid cyst were determined microscopically by flame cell activity and eosin dye uptake. Results: The carcasses, including 8684 sheep, 1110 goats and 832 cattle were inspected in order to detect hydatid cyst. An overall CE was detected in 3% of the inspected carcasses with a prevalence rate of 5.3% in cattle, 3% in sheep and 1% in goats (P < 0.001). The prevalence rate of infection in the females (2.7%) was more than males (0.3%) (P < 0.001). All of the infected animals were aged one year or more. The highest rate of infection in internal organs was found in the lungs (47.2%). The highest and the lowest fertility rate of hydatid cyst were observed in sheep (69.3%) and cattle (6.8%), respectively. The most of hydatid cysts which obtained from cattle (79.6%) 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.