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Page No. : 6-9

ABSTRACT

The diagnostics of most common helminthic zoonosis of human, domestic and pet animals is presented here with one health perspective. Cystic echinococcosis is caused by a canid tapeworm of genus Echinococcus species. It impacts not only on human health and productivity but also affects livestock economy through high morbidity. The eggs of etiological agent are discharged with the faces of the definitive host (pet dogs or canids) and contaminate the environment. The eggs are swallowed by intermediate hosts like sheep, goats, buff aloes and other domestic animals while grazing in infested pasture lands and also by human particularly children due to close proximity with infested dogs. Literature review revealed that conventional trends for diagnosis of echinococcus eggs are copro-microscopical examination. The most popular assay used for the purpose of surveillance is Multiplex PCR which is used for ante mortem diagnosis of echinococcus eggs in canids. Copro-antigen ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immuno-sorbent Assay) is a method of choice used to identify and confi rm Echinococcus infestation in canids. The necropsy examination of visceral organs for hydatid cysts in livestock and necropsy examination of the intestine for adult worms are the most reliable and accurate method (Gold standard technique) of diagnosis. Abdominal ultrasound and serological assays (ELISA and/or Western Blot) are most widely prevalent methods for confirmatory diagnosis of echinococcosis in humans. At the environmental interface, ZnCl2 flotation technique is routinely used to collect taeniid eggs from samples followed by confirmation using nested PCR and sequencing are the most suitable diagnostic methods.

Keywords: Animal, diagnostics, echinococcus, environment, human, zoonosis