Cysticercus bovis and hydatid cysts in cattle slaughtered in the Northeastern region of Brazil and associated risk factors.

Taenia saginata and Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato negatively impact cattle production due to the parasitism of their larval forms, known as Cysticercus bovis and hydatid cysts, respectively. In this study, we determined the prevalence and risk factors associated with C. bovis and hydatid cyst infections in cattle slaughtered in the state of Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil. A total of 2035 post-mortem inspections were conducted in five different slaughterhouses. We collected tissue and organ fragments with structures morphologically resembling C. bovis and hydatid cysts, and processed histologically using the hematoxylin-eosin (HE) technique. Farmers responded to an epidemiological questionnaire about animal management to identify risk factors associated with C. bovis and hydatid cysts. Risk factors were assessed through logistic regression and determination of Odds Ratio (OR) values. A total of 44 animals presented vesicular lesions morphologically resembling parasitic structures. Nine carcasses (0.44 %; IC 95 %: 0.23-0.84 %) presented C. bovis, and 20 (0.98 %; IC 95 %: 0.64-1.51 %) hydatid cysts. No coinfection was detected, and parasite structures were found in the liver and masseter muscles. The remaining 15 samples presented suggestive lesions of bacterial infection. Animals over 36 months old (OR = 3.13; p = 0.243), extensive farming (OR = 2.32; p = 0.202), human waste disposal (OR = 1.57; p = 0.442), male animals (OR = 1.21; p = 0.578), beef cattle (OR = 1.16; p = 0.563), and poor sanitation (OR = 1.01; p = 0.637) were risk factors associated with the presence of C. bovis. For hydatid cysts, risk factors were animals over 36 months old (OR = 5.67; p = 0.0013), human waste disposal (OR = 2.81; p = 0.065), poor sanitation (OR = 2.29; p = 0.097), lack of basic sanitation (OR = 1.46; p = 0.335), mixed-purpose farming (meat/milk) (OR = 1.25; p = 0.394), and male animals (OR = 1.04; p = 0.584). Despite the wide distribution of these parasites, to our knowledge, this is the first report in the literature of hydatid cysts in cattle slaughtered in Northeastern Brazil. It is pivotal to improve the sanitary rearing management of the herds in this region to reduce the risk of animal infection, mitigating economic losses and the negative impact on public health. Additionally, further studies focusing on the molecular characterization of parasites are needed to an identification at species level.