Abstract:

Objective  To investigate the prevalence of echinococcosis in Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture of Xingjiang for providing evidences in control and prevention of this disease. Methods  Stratified random sampling method was used to investigate the Echinococcus granulosus infection status in dogs and livestock in Artux area of Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture(including administrative Akto County, Akqi county and Ulugqat county). Sampling was orientated in the agricultural zones and pasturing area by the east, west, south and north distribution in 27 villages/towns. 320 portions of fecal samples were collected from one dog in individual house, and additionally, viscus samples were obtained from 1000 livestock(aged over 2 years, including sheep, cattle and horse) during the slaughter season. Results A total of 2 219 portions of feces from dogs were detected with double antibody sandwich ELISA. The overall positive rate was 3.33% (74/2 219), and the positive rate varied among counties(Ulugqat, 7.50%;  Akto, 5.94%; Artux, 2.14%; Akqi, 1.25%), however, the difference was not significant(χ2=0.62, 1.06, P>0.05). Ulugqat and Akto county had higher positive rate than Artux and Akqi(χ2=23.41~10.15, P<0.05). Of the 3 796 livestock investigated, Echinococcus granulosus infection was 7.69% (291/3 796), and the infection was 3.08%, 1.92% and 1.04% for sheep, horse and yak, respectively. Echinococcus granulosus infection was absent in goats, and the infection rate was not significant between animal species (χ2=2.51; 0.28; 1.57, P>0.05), yet the sheep had higher infection rate than yak and cattle(χ2=8.85; 20.82, P＜0.05). Conclusion Although Echinococcus granulosus infection seems relatively lower in dogs and livestock in Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture in current stage, yet echinococcosis prevalence cannot be overlooked. Health education, strengthened management on the dogs, and improved risk awareness remain essential to the local farmers and herdsmen in reducing the echinococcosis.

Key words: Echinococcus granulosus, Echinococcosis, Definitive host, Intermediate host, Xinjiang Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture