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.