Abstract

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by larval stage of dog tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus. Transmission occurs predominantly in synanthropic cycles, involving sheep, goats, cattle and pigs as intermediate hosts. In Italy, according to sheep breeding, the infection rate increases from north to south regions including islands. Previous CE prevalence recorded in Sicily in cattle and sheep were 11.1% and 15.6%, respectively. The cyst viability, studied in sheep only, was 1,9% (Magliarditi D, Niutta PP, 1995, Atti Associazione Siciliana di Sanità Veterinaria: 165-167; Scala A et al., 2001, 20th International Congress of Hydatidology, Kusadasi, Turkey: 303). This paper reports preliminary results on prevalence and viability of CE in cattle and sheep in Sicily and is part of a larger research focused on the epidemiological updating of E. granulosus infection.

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