Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2025 Feb 20:12:1536368.
doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1536368. eCollection 2025.

Zoonotic threat of cystic echinococcosis in Tunisia: insights into livestock prevalence and identification of the G1 genotype

Mohamed Hedi Abdelghani  1 , Selim M'rad  1 , Raja Chaâbane-Banaoues  1 , Sayadi Taoufik  2 , Mohamed Ali Charfedine  3 , Lamia Zemzemi  1 , Ines Kamoun  1 , Hamouda Babba  1   4 , Myriam Oudni-M'rad  1
Affiliations

Zoonotic threat of cystic echinococcosis in Tunisia: insights into livestock prevalence and identification of the G1 genotype

Mohamed Hedi Abdelghani et al. Front Vet Sci. .

Abstract

Introduction: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonosis caused by the larval stage of the Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.) complex. CE is globally distributed, with a particularly high prevalence in North African countries, especially Tunisia. Despite its significant public health impact and the economic burden it places on livestock production, recent data on CE prevalence in Tunisian livestock remain scarce. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of CE in livestock, investigate potential differences across host species, and identify risk factors contributing to the CE transmission dynamics.

Methods: The study was conducted in two governorates located in the North-Eastern region of Tunisia. A multidimensional approach included post-mortem inspection of slaughtered animals, fertility and viability analyses of the isolated CE cysts, and molecular genotyping of the parasite was conducted.

Results and discussion: A total of 21,487 animals were examined, 15.86% of the sheep and 9.57% of the cattle were infected with at least one CE cyst, with females showing higher prevalence rates. No CE cases were detected in goats or dromedaries. In all infected animals, the infection rate increased with the age of the host. CE cysts were predominantly found in both the liver and lung of the same animal in sheep and cattle. Aborted lesions were the most common stage of infection, and multiple CE cysts were frequently observed in affected animals. Fertile CE cysts were highly prevalent in both sheep and cattle, with rates increasing with host age, confirming the critical role of sheep in the parasite transmission cycle and demonstrating that cattle in Tunisia also play a significant role in the propagation of CE. Molecular analysis confirmed the predominance of the zoonotic G1 genotype of E. granulosus sensu stricto. This is particularly concerning as the G1 genotype is also the most common genotype affecting humans. This underscores a strong zoonotic potential and highlights the need for integrated control strategies. The findings emphasize the role of the livestock-dog cycle in CE transmission, posing risks to humans living near infected animals. Effective measures, including slaughter regulations, dog deworming, public education, and enhanced veterinary surveillance within a One Health approach, are essential for reducing CE's impact on human and animal health.

Keywords: Echinococcus granulosus; cystic echinococcosis; fertility; genotype; hydatidosis; livestock; prevalence; viability.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

ST was employed by Central Slaughterhouse of Sousse. M-AC was employed by Slaughterhouse of Ksour Essef. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Multiple CE cysts observed in the liver (A) and lungs (B) of a sheep.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Assessment of protoscolex viability using 0.2% eosin staining. Alive (A) and dead (B) protoscolex.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Sex-based prevalence of CE in infected animals.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Age-based prevalence of CE in infected animals.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Borhani M, Fathi S, Lahmar S, Ahmed H, Abdulhameed MF, Fasihi Harandi M. Cystic echinococcosis in the eastern Mediterranean region: neglected and prevailing! PLoS Negl Trop Dis. (2020) 14:e0008114. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008114 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Gharbi M, Giraudoux P. Cystic echinococcosis (Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato infection) in Tunisia, a one health perspective for a future control programme. Parasite. (2024) 31:30. doi: 10.1051/parasite/2024029 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Oudni-M'rad M., M'rad S., Babba H. (2015). Current topics in echinococcosis London: InTech, p. 56–74
    1. World Health Organization . (2022). The road to 2030. Available at: www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-UCN-NTD-SAI-2022.2.
    1. World Health Organization . (2021). Echinococcosis fact sheet Geneva. Available at: www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/echinococcosis.

LinkOut - more resources