Veterinary Science & Technology

A Review on Metacestode Influence in the Case of Public Health and Economic Manners in Small Ruminants

Abstract

Kedir Yusuf*

Small ruminants are widely reared in a crop-livestock farming systems and are distributed across different agro-ecological zones of Ethiopian. Cysticercosis, hydatidosis and coenurosis of farmed and wild animals is caused by the larval stages (metacestodes) of cestodes of the family Taeniidae (tapeworms). Cerebellar cysts may precipitate more acute and severe signs of ataxia or opisthotonus. Eggs contaminate the environment and waters then it resist for 15 days under dry conditions, or in the high level of humidity it can stay 30 days. The life cycle is indirect with sheep and goats acting as an intermediate host. Coenuruses results from ingestion of contaminated pasture with eggs. T. hydatigena and T. ovis are cosmopolitan parasites, though control programs, improved sanitation and other factors have made them uncommon in some regions. Infection by the larval stage of the tapeworm T. multiceps in small ruminants is common in worldwide. Tapeworms of the family Taeniidae are transmitted from the definitive hosts such as carnivores to the intermediated hosts including herbivores or omnivores and human beings via oral-fecal cycle. The predilection sites of positive cyst were right cerebral hemisphere, left cerebral hemisphere and cerebellum. The type and severity of the clinical signs is influenced by the number and location of the parasites. Cysticercotic encephalitis, which is most common in children and teenagers, is a particularly dangerous disease. Metacestodes causes considerable economic impacts in terms of morbidity, loss of productivity and health care costs. Different abattoir survey indicated that metazoan parasites are endemic disease of small ruminants in Ethiopia, especially in the highland where 75% of the sheep population is found. Controlling cysticercosis and coenurosis depends on reducing an animal’s exposure to the eggs. Where feasible, it can be easier to control these illnesses by focusing on the definitive host.