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This 8‐year (from 2008 to 2016) retrospective study calculated the percentage of carcass and organ (lung and liver) condemnations and estimated the direct financial costs at four slaughterhouses in Sistan‐Baluchestan Province, Southeastern Iran. Each carcass and organ (lung and liver) was thoroughly examined through inspection, palpation and incision following the standard protocol. Identification of the parasites was performed macroscopically. The total direct economic loss due to meat's condemnation was estimated by adding weights of each organ or carcass part and multiplying individual organ totals by their 2016 market unit price. A total of 857,039 cattle were slaughtered during this period, 64,497 livers (7.5%), 31,401 lungs (3.6%) and the carcasses of 1,171 cattle (0.1%) were condemned due to lesions caused by parasites. The main parasitic lesions in the condemned livers were attributed to Echinococcus granulosus (4.2%), Fasciola spp. (3.1%) and Dicrocoelium dendriticum (0.1%). All the condemned lungs were due to E. granulosus (3.6%). Taenia saginata cysticerci were detected in 0.1% of inspected animals. Liver condemnation due to cystic echinococcosis was the highest in fall (4.7%, p < 0.001); while lung condemnation was the highest during spring (3.98%, p < 0.001). Liver condemnation due to Fasciola spp. was the lowest in winter (2.99%, p < 0.001). Carcass condemnation as a result of cysticercosis was the highest in summer (p < 0.001). Considering the 2016 market prices, condemnations due to the studied parasites caused direct costs estimated U.S. $ 3,191,879. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report estimating the monetary losses due to parasitic infections in the slaughterhouses of this province. Due to the high financial impact of the studied parasites, a control programme should be implemented to decrease this impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed at investigating the prevalence and risk factors of bovine thelaziosis, performed in the southeast of Iran, an endemic area for Iranian Sistani cattle. Methods: Between September 2012 to October 2014, 1924 cattle, Sistani breed (n= 1235) and Brahman breed (n=689) of all sex and age groups collected from Sistan and Baluchestan Province were examined using visual observation of the eyes by flushing the conjunctival sac and lachrymal duct with sterile saline solution. Results: The overall prevalence for thelaziosis was 50 of 1924 cows (2. 6%; 95% CI: 1. 9-3. 3%), with significant higher prevalence of infection in Sistani breed than in Brahman breed (3. 15% vs 1. 59%). Sixty adult worms (84. 5% of females and 15. 5% of males) were collected from the conjunctiva of the infected cattle: Thelazia gulosa (50/60, 83. 3%) was the most represented species followed by Thelazia. rhodesi (10/60, 16. 7%). The number of worms collected per cow ranged from one to seven (average ± standard deviation: 2. 08 ± 1. 49). Worms were gathered from cows throughout all months of the year. The difference in the seasonal variations of prevalence and the intensity of infection were significant, however, no significant correlation between prevalence, sex and age of cattle was noted. Conclusion: Bovine thelaziosis needs special attention by veterinarians in the differential diagnosis of ocular manifestations and considering its impact on cattle production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Parasitological investigations on paramphistomosis were carried out over a 12-month period in the southeast of Iran to determine the prevalence and intensity of this disease. Methods: A total of 1000 cattle, Sistani breed (n= 450) and Brahman breed (n= 550) of all sex and age groups were inspected at random for the presence of paramphistomidae flukes in Zabol slaughterhouse from December 2012 to October 2013. Results: Paramphistomes were found in 369 of 1000 necropsied cows (36.9%; 95% CI: 30.1-41.9%), with significant higher prevalence of infection in Brahman breed than in Sistani breed (51% vs 19.3%). No significant correlation between prevalence, intensity of infection, sex and age of cattle was noted. Despite the difference in the seasonal variations of prevalence, and the relation between the intensity of infection and season, these were not statistically significant. The mean intensity of infection in Brahman breed was higher (652.66 ± 281.5) than Sistani breed (123.32 ± 32.2). The identification of stained trematodes to the species revealed 40, 20, 20, 15 and 5% Gastrothylax crumenifer, Cotylophoron cotylophorom, Paramphistomum cervi, Carmyerius spatiosus, Explanatum explanatum, respectively. Conclusion: The present results will contribute to our understanding of the epidemiology of paramphistomumosis in southeastern Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In this experiment, abdominal cavity of 518 Iranian Sistani cattle and 498 Brahman cattle were inspected for the presence of Setaria spp. from April 2012 - May 2013. Methods: The species were determined by microscopic examination of the morphological characteristics of the anterior and posterior parts of the parasites and authentic guidelines. Results: The overall prevalence of Setaria spp. was 28.6% and 36.5%, respectively and this difference was significant (P<0.05). Out of 148 Sistani cattle which were infected with Setaria, 51(34.4%) were infected with S. digitata, 31 (20.9%) were infected with S. labiatopapillosa, 65 (43.9%) showed mixed infection of S. digitata and S. labiatopapillosa and one case (0.6%) was infected with mixed infection of S. labiatopapillosa, S. digitata and S. marshalli. These values were 87 (47.8%), 27 (14.8%), 67 (36.8%) and 1 (0.5%) for 182 infected Brahaman cows, respectively. The proportion of infected cattle in spring and summer was greater than cooler season (autumn and winter) significantly (P<0.001). The prevalence of infection with Setaria in 2-3 years old Sistatni cattle (42.2 %) was greater than other age categories (P<0.05). Furthermore, the infection rate between males (25.5%) and females (37.3%) Iranian Sistani cattle showed significant difference (P =0.009). Conclusion: It is important to point out the presence of cerebrospinal setariosis, namely in sheep, goats and horses in the investigated area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]