Sero-epidemiology of cystic echinococcosis (Echinococcus granulosus) in the livestock of Oman

A cross-sectional serological survey of cystic echinocossis was carried out on 2802 randomly collected sera of camels (n = 706), cattle (n = 687), goats (n = 701) and sheep (n = 708) from all governorates of Oman. The samples were analysed by in house indirect ELISA (iELISA) using Echinococcus granulosus antigen B (EgAgB) of naturally infected camels. The overall percentage of antibodies against EgAgB was found to be 14.6%. The highest percentage of positive was observed in sera from camels (22.4%) followed by cattle (12.9%), sheep (12.2%) and goats (10.9%). The highest percentage of seropositivity was observed in females (15.4%) as compared to male animals (10.6%). The imported livestock were found more seropositive (15.2%) as compared to local (14.7%) and crossbred livestock (14.1%). The highest exposure was observed in animals with the age group of above 5 years (18.3%) followed by the age group of up to 2 years (15.1%,) and those between 2 and 5 years (12.4%). The univariate analysis has indicated that camels (OR:2.33, CI 1.74, 3.14), cattle (OR:1.21, CI 0.87, 1.67), sheep (OR:1.12, CI 0.81, 1.55) were more likely to test positive than goats. Furthermore, females (OR: 1.53, CI 1.11, 2.11) were more likely to test seropositive. Sera from animals above 5 years of age (OR:1.58, CI 1.25, 2.01) and between 2 and 5 years old (OR:1.30, CI 0.98, 1.71) were found more likely to test seropositive than those up to 2 years of age. The multivariable analysis at individual level indicated that camels (OR: 2.07, CI 1.66, 2.56, p < 0.001) and female (OR: 1.43, CI 1.04, 1.98, p = 0.030) were more likely to acquire CE. At herd level, the final multivariable model indicated that herds located in Dofar and Musandam (OR: 4.48, CI 2.69, 7.45, p < 0.001), in areas receiving seasonal rains (OR: 2.54, CI 1.09, 5.90, p < 0.001) and practicing transhumance (OR: 4.22, CI 1.84, 9.65, p < 0.001) and sedentary (OR: 2.07, CI 1.38, 3.12, p = 0.001) farming system were more likely to acquire CE in Oman. The study documents the serological evidence of CE in livestock of Oman and a carefully planned control program should be devised after further epidemiological and molecular investigations in the intermediate and final hosts.