Cysticercus tenuicollis in small ruminants of Algeria: abattoir survey, biochemical and morphological characterizations

Ait Amrane Amar, Selles Sidi Mohammed Ammar, Abdelhadi Si Ameur, Kouidri Mokhtaria, Belhamiti Tahar Belkacem, Barani Abdelkader, Smail Fadela

Abstract: The present study was designed to determine the prevalence of Cysticercus tenuicollis in Tiaret Abattoir (Algeria) and compare biochemical profiles of some metacestodes collected from sheep and goats. 1973 sheep and 1175 goats examined, 155 carcasses of sheep and 263 of goats harbored the cysts, representing infection rates of 7.8 and 22.3%, respectively (p < 0.05). In both sheep and goats, the rate infection of C. tenuicollis was significantly higher in male than female. In sheep, liver was the most infected organ. In goats, omentum and liver were the most infected. Various biochemical parameters (glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, sodium, potassium and chlorine) were measured using conventional laboratory methods for a total of 24 cysts (13 cysts from goats and 11 from sheep). Cholesterol and triglycerides have higher mean in parasite bladders of sheep but glucose had higher mean in goats. Urea showed equal mean and range both in parasite bladders of sheep and goats. For the minerals, sodium and chlorine showed higher mean in goats and only potassium had higher mean in sheep. Morphological criteria showed significant differences (p < 0.05) between those of sheep and goats, namely: the length of the small hook blade, the length of the large hook blade, the length of the handle of the small hook and the length of the handle of the large hook. Numerous biochemical and morphological parameters studied showed significant differences. These suggest the existence of different sub-species of T. hydatigena in the study area.

Keywords: Algeria; biochemical profiles; Cysticercus tenuicollis; Rostellar hooks; small ruminants

Date published: 2018-09-05