Vol. 6 No. 1 (2023): The Reality of Women in Science

• Okoh, M. E.
  Department of Biological Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria
  




• Omudu, E. A.
  Department of Biological Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria
  




• Atu, B. O.
  Department of Biological Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria
  




• Obadiah, H. I.
  Department of Biological Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria
  

Hydatidosis is a serious zoonotic disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus species complex. This research was conducted to determine the prevalence of infection of the disease in Benue State, Nigeria. The study area was divided into three (3) locations: Makurdi, Otukpo and Adikpo abattoirs. The carcass of each animal which included Cattle, goats and pigs was inspected carefully for the presence of hydatid cysts and infection. The organs infected and the numbers of cysts were recorded. Animal sex and age were also recorded. Hydatid cysts collected were preserved in 70% ethanol and transported to the laboratory for analysis. In the laboratory, cysts sizes were measured, microscopic examination of hydatid fluid was performed to determine cysts fertility and Haematoxylin and eosin staining technique was performed. Overall prevalence was 30.86% (679/2200), infection rates in the sampling sites were significant (P<0.05), with the lungs being the most infected organ (42.36%), followed by the liver (19.36%), while mixed infections involving the liver and the lungs were detected in 2.91% of the livestock sampled. The cysts were examined under the microscope to determine fertility, out of the 1296 hydatid cysts collected and examined, (52.40%) of the hydatid cysts were fertile, (35.80%) were sterile while (11.80%) were calcified. Lung cysts were found to be more fertile (64.27%) compared to liver cysts (35.73%). Prevalence based on age was statistically significant (P<0.05) with adult more infected (33.01%) than the young (21.88%). Infection rate was seen to be more during the wet season (34.38%) than during the dry season (25.78%). There was a direct relationship between age, number and size of hydatid cysts as the number and size of the cysts increase with increase in age of the animal. The outcome of this study justifies the need for comprehensive intervention in hydatidosis management and prevention.

Keywords: Hydatidosis, Echinococcus granulosus, Benue State