Prevalence and Associated Economic Losses of Fasciolosis Isolated from the Liver of Meat Cattle at Municipal Abattoirs in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abayeneh Girma; Kasaye Teshome; Indiris Abdu; Amere Genet; Dessalew Tamir

Abayeneh Girma Department of Biology, College of Natural and Computational Science, Mekdela Amba University, P.O. Box 32, Tuluawlia, Ethiopia
Kasaye Teshome Department of Veterinary Science, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
Indiris Abdu Department of Biology, College of Natural and Computational Science, Mekdela Amba University, Tulu Awuliya, Ethiopia
Amere Genet Department of Biology, College of Natural and Computational Science, Mekdela Amba University, Tulu Awuliya, Ethiopia
Dessalew Tamir Department of Veterinary Science, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia

Keywords: Bovine fasciolosis, Liver fluke, Municipal abattoir, Postmortem inspection, Fasciola, Ethiopia

Abstract

Fasciolosis is a prevalent disease that significantly impairs the health and productivity of cattle and causes significant economic damage. Beyond the individually available studies with varying prevalence rates, there are no pooled national prevalence studies on bovine fasciolosis. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to determine the pooled magnitude and economic significance of fasciolosis among cattle in postmortem examination. Cochrane’s Q, inverse variance (I²), sensitivity analysis, funnel plots, Begg’s test, and Egger’s regression test were used to assess heterogeneity and publication bias. A random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled burden of fasciolosis among cattle. The pooled prevalence of fasciolosis among cattle in postmortem examination was 31.77% (95% CI=27.82–35.71). Among a total of 14965 livers of slaughtered cattle examined in municipal abattoirs, Fasciola hepatica (54.4%) was the predominant fluke identified compared to F. gigantica (24.6%). Mixed infections by both species and unidentified immature flukes were detected in 12.4% and 7.6%, respectively, of the affected livers. Concerning the severity of the pathological lesions observed, 30.5%, 44.3%, and 25.2% of the livers were lightly, moderately, and seriously infested, respectively. The total annual economic significance of fasciolosis among cattle from 40 reported studies was approximately 40,833,983.15 ETB (6,417, 847.73 USD). Therefore, bovine fasciolosis requires integrated control methods to address its influence on animal health and economic impact.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/2349.7181.202610

How to cite this article:
Girma A, Teshome K, Abdu I, Genet A, Tamir D.
Prevalence and Associated Economic Losses of
Fasciolosis Isolated from the Liver of Meat Cattle
at Municipal Abattoirs in Ethiopia: A Systematic
Review and Meta-Analysis. J Adv Res Med 2026;
13(3): 32-45.

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