Prevalence of Liver Parasitic Infections in Sheep and Cattle Slaughtered in Torbat-E-Heidarieh Abattoir, Northeast Iran

Meat inspection records in abattoirs located in Torbat-e-heidarieh (northeast Iran), from 18 May 2009 to 30 May 2015, were used to determine the prevalence of liver fluke diseases in sheep and cattle in the region. A total of 1004858 livestock including 867015 sheep and 137843 cattle were slaughtered in the 6-year period. Dicrocoeliosis, fasciolosis and hydatidosis were responsible for 2%, 1.92% and 7.97% of total liver condemnations, respectively. Total condemnation of liver caused by hydatidosis in different animals was by far more than that observed in fasciolosis and dicrocoeliosis. The prevalence of liver condemnations due to hydatidosis increased from 4.23% and 5.21% in 2009 to 11.08% and 9.54% in 2015 for sheep and cattle, respectively. Dicrocoeliosis and fasciolosis were less prevalent than hydatidosis, and the prevalence rate of dicrocoeliosis declined from 1.87% and 2.35% in 2009 to 1.11% and 0.64% in 2015 for sheep and cattle, respectivel;  however, the prevalence rate of fasciolosis increased from 0.7% in 2009 to 3.3% in 2015 for sheep and declined from 2.12% in 2009 to 1.45% in 2015 for cattle. Data revealed significant seasonal pattern for dicrocoelium dendriticum in sheep (p=0.045), but, in the case of Fasciola spp. and hydatid in various animals, there have been no significant differences regarding the season. Because of hydatidosis, fasciolosis and dicrocoeliosis, liver condemnations were more common in cattle slaughtered throughout fall, while these were larger in winter for sheep. This study offers baseline information for the future tracking of these possibly essential parasitic attacks in the region.