Prevalence of hydatidosis in animals in different abattoirs of Punjab, Pakistan from 2004-2008

Objective: Hydatidosis is a zoonotic public health problem globally and in Pakistan also causing illness in human and animals. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of disease. Study Design: None randomized prospective study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in different abattoirs of Punjab (Faisalabad and Lahore), Pakistan from 2004-2008. Materials and Methods: In present study 39738 male and female animals (sheep, goats, buffaloes, cattle and camels) were examined. Liver and Lungs were main visceral organs with bigger size of cyst collected and processed on Real Time PCR. Results: Highest prevalence (%) was found 7.29 (102/590) in camels and lowest 5.18 (155/2990) in cattle. Prevalence of fertile cysts was also determined and found highest (95%) in camels and lowest (75%) in cattle. Sterile, calcified and under developed cysts were also seen but without any significant number, except in cattle sterile cysts were significantly high (P<0.05). Study showed high prevalence in two (Faisalabad and Lahore) out of six abattoirs visited in different big cites. Conclusion: It is concluded that in Punjab hydatidosis is significantly prevalence. The major cause of this prevalence is improper disposal of infected organs and unhygienic conditions of abattoirs.