Pathological Findings in Cattle Slaughtered in Northeastern Algeria and Associated Risk Factors

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Meat constitutes a very favorable ground for infectious or non-infectious diseases that can lead to economic losses and can also constitute a serious risk on public health. In this study, we determined the prevalence of the bovine diseases in a slaughterhouse in northeastern Algeria and the associated risk factors. The results showed a high frequency of animals presenting different lesions. The highest rate of pathological findings was observed on the liver followed by the lungs, whereas the lowest rate was recorded on the digestive system followed by the kidneys. In addition, the liver and lungs were more contaminated with hydatid cyst compared to other organs. Our data showed that females were more affected than males. Furthermore, young cattle from the local breed were the most affected. Our data confirm the importance of the bovine diseases requiring research in Algerian slaughterhouses and testify the real risk represented by the consumption of organs affected by these lesions. Therefore, it is crucial to implement an extension and control program in this region depending on the epidemiological aspect of the lesions. ABSTRACT: Meat is a food of animal origin, which can be contaminated by infectious, parasitic and other non-infectious agents responsible for diseases, which threaten the health of consumers. This still poses a public health problem in Algeria and in many countries. In order to assess the epidemiological situation of certain diseases in the Taher region in Jijel and to determine the influence of certain variation factors and to estimate the risk on public health, a study was extended over a period of 14 months on a total of 1756 cattle slaughtered at the Taher slaughterhouse. The results showed that 609 cattle (34.68%) showed lesions. The highest rate of pathological findings was observed on the liver (37.27%) followed by the lungs (30.21%). The lowest rate was recorded on the digestive system (0.33%) followed by the kidneys (1.14%). In addition, the liver and lungs were more contaminated with hydatid cyst compared to other organs (20.69%, 19.05%, respectively). Our data showed that the diseases affected more females (55.82%) than males (44.17%) (p < 0.001). Furthermore, cattle aged between 3 and 5 years were the most affected (43.51%) and local breed cattle showed more lesions (71.59%). These results testify to the real risk represented by the consumption of organs affected by diseases, and the need to recognize the agents of contamination and the mode of transmission and to implement an extension and control program in this region depending on the epidemiological aspect of the lesions.