Cattle Hydatidosis occurrence, cyst characterization and associated risk factors at Wolaita Soddo Municipality Abattoir, Southern Ethiopia

Background Hydatidosis is a zoonotic infection of many mammalian species produced by Echinococcus granulosus larvae which are distributed globally specifically in Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2023 to August 2023 to determine the occurrence of cattle hydatidosis, cyst characterization and associated risk factors at Wolaita Soddo Municipality Abattoir, Southern Ethiopia. The antemortem investigation was intended to identify some of the associated risk factors for hydatid cysts in the tested animals. A post-mortem examination and laboratory methods were also used to determine the presence and characteristics of hydatid cysts in various organs. Results A total of 15% (60/400) had harboured hydatid cysts. No related risk variables ( P  ≥ 0.05) were found in hydatic cysts. In terms of organ distribution, the lung (20.5%) had the highest frequency of these cysts, followed by the liver (15.25%), kidney (4.75%), and spleen (3.5%). Out of the 176 hydatic cysts that were counted, the small-sized cysts (47.7%) were more observed than medium-sized (29.5%) and large-sized (22.7%) cysts. Furthermore, of these, more fertile cysts (40.9%) than infertility ones (59.1%) were seen. However, out of 72 fertile cysts that were tested for viability, more non-viable cysts (41.7%) were observed than viable cysts (58.3%). Conclusions Overall, even with the small size of the infection detected, hydatidosis seems to be supported by both a socioeconomic setting and a public health concern. Because of this, it continues to rank among the most significant illnesses at the study site, requiring significant preventative and control measures.