Prevalence and lesional aspects of hydatidosis in onehumped camels and small ruminants in Northern Mauritania

Abstract

This study concerned the prevalence of echinococcosis in Northern Mauritania. The 37% prevalence rate recorded in camels from the region of Zoairate was significantly higher (p < 0.002) than that of 26% obtained in camels in Nouadhibou. However, in these regions, there were no significant differences (p < 0.4) between prevalence rates in small ruminants, with 5.6 and 4.2% in sheep, and 3.9 and 7.2% in goats, respectively. The fertility rates of hydatid cysts were 69 and 73% in camels, 41.2 and 42% in sheep, and 35.7 and 34% in goats in the two regions, respectively. It was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) in camels than in small ruminants. The hydatid infestation was generally more predominant in the lungs of the camels and in the liver of small ruminants. Unlike in small ruminants, the histology of camel hydatid cysts showed a well-defined structure with a cuticle and a welldeveloped proligerous membrane. The differences between the prevalence rates, the fertility of hydatid cysts, the diversity of infestation sites, and the histological structure observed in camels, sheep and goats were probably due to different genotypes of Echinococcus granulosus