Discussion
Introduction: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic disease caused by the cestode
Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (
s.l.), affecting canids and ruminants. It is endemic in central-southern and insular Italy, with sheep, goats, cattle, and water buffalo being the most commonly infected livestock species. In this study, we aimed to investigate the spatial distribution of CE in livestock and estimate the prevalence of infection on farms in central-southern and insular Italy.
Methods: A Stochastic Partial Differential Equations (SPDE) model was used to analyse animal samples collected from farms of different livestock species between 2019-2021. Samples were inspected for
E. granulosus s.l. cysts through routine surveillance in abattoirs by post-mortem visual examination, palpation, and incision of target organs. The geographic location of the farm of origin was recorded for each sample.
Results: We analysed 3141 animal samples from 2878 farms. The overall CE prevalence at the farm level was estimated to be 46.0%, with sheep farms having the highest prevalence (78.3%), followed by cattle farms (36.5%), water buffalo farms (23.5%), and goat farms (28.6%). The spatial model showed a high clustering of infected cattle farms in Sardinia and Sicily regions, while sheep farms in the Salerno province (Campania region) had the highest prevalence of infection.
Discussion: Our study highlights the need for improved surveillance and control programs in endemic areas of Italy. The findings can be used to identify CE hot spots and develop targeted intervention strategies for the prevention and control of CE in livestock populations.
