Detection of Echinococcus spp. in condemned livers

Katarina Breka; Nikola Betić; Jelena Karanović; Tijana Kukurić; Milica Kuručki; Ivana Klun; Vesna Djordjević; Aleksandra Uzelac

doi:10.18485/meattech.2025.66.3.12

Katarina Breka University of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8775-8057
Nikola Betić Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7375-6752
Jelena Karanović Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6291-5527
Tijana Kukurić University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Agriculture, Novi Sad, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2561-8555
Milica Kuručki University of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8060-9139
Ivana Klun Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7976-3104
Vesna Djordjević Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0009-0008-5187-4089
Aleksandra Uzelac Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1424-0123

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18485/meattech.2025.66.3.12

Keywords: foodborne disease, livestock, pigs, parasite, abattoirs

Abstract

Echinococcosis, a parasitic zoonosis caused by Echinococcus spp. tapeworms, poses a significant public health concern in Europe, but remains under-reported in both humans and animals. Post-mortem examination of slaughtered livestock offers a valuable opportunity for early detection and surveillance of parasitic infections, including echinococcosis, in meat intended for human consumption. In this study, liver samples exhibiting pathological changes were collected from two abattoirs in Serbia. A total of 31 livers—22 from pigs, 7 from lambs, and 2 from bullocks—were analysed microscopically, and molecularly using PCR, to detect Echinococcus spp. DNA. The parasite was detected in three pig livers, and three distinct species were identified: E. granulosus, E. canadensis, and E. multilocularis. Although the sample size was relatively small, the detection of multiple Echinococcus species in pigs suggests a potential role of these animals in the parasite’s transmission cycle within Serbia. These findings underscore the ongoing importance of comprehensive meat inspection protocols in abattoirs for zoonotic disease surveillance. They also highlight the need for expanded surveillance efforts and enhanced diagnostic procedures, particularly speciation of the tapeworm, to improve early detection and control of Echinococcus infections at the abattoir level.