پردیس کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی دانشگاه تهران Iranian Journal of animal Science 2008-4773 56 4 2025 12 22 Investigating cysticercosis infection in slaughtered sheep and goats of Shahin Dezh city, West Azerbaijan province Investigating cysticercosis infection in slaughtered sheep and goats of Shahin Dezh city, West Azerbaijan province 813 824 103332 10.22059/ijas.2025.391467.654064 FA Mohsen Salimi Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran 0009-0000-3456-1429 Farnaz Malekifard Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, West Azarbaijan, Iran 0000-0002-4809-3782 Bijan Esmaeil Nejad Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran 0000-0002-3159-6009 Journal Article 2025 03 04 Cysticercosis is a worldwide disease that affects farm animals. This condition, in sheep and goats, results in economic losses especially due to the condemnation of edible offal or meat. In this concern, the aim of this study was to examine cysticercosis among the sheep and goats slaughtered at a slaughterhouse in Shahin Dej, west Azerbaijan Province, Iran. From 2023 to 2024, the cysticercosis prevalence in 250 sheep and 250 goats at the Shahin Dej slaughterhouse was determined. Data of animal species, sex, age and the type of cysticercosis infection were recorded. Out of a total of 500 sheep and goats carcasses examined, 34 carcasses (6.8 %) were infected with <em>Cysticercus</em> (21 carcasses (4.2 %) with <em>Cysticercus ovis</em> and 13 carcasses (2.6 %) with<em> Cysticercus tenuicollis</em>). In this study female goats and sheep were more frequently infected than males (<em>p</em><0.05). In addition, the infection rate was significant in different age groups of sheep and goats (<em>p</em><0.05). Findings indicated high frequency of <em>Cysticercus</em> infection in sheep and goats in the studied region. Therefore, the control methods, such as proper disposal of infected tissues and anthelmintic treatment of infected dogs, are necessary to reduce contamination and prevent economic loss in small ruminants. Cysticercosis is a worldwide disease that affects farm animals. This condition, in sheep and goats, results in economic losses especially due to the condemnation of edible offal or meat. In this concern, the aim of this study was to examine cysticercosis among the sheep and goats slaughtered at a slaughterhouse in Shahin Dej, west Azerbaijan Province, Iran. From 2023 to 2024, the cysticercosis prevalence in 250 sheep and 250 goats at the Shahin Dej slaughterhouse was determined. Data of animal species, sex, age and the type of cysticercosis infection were recorded. Out of a total of 500 sheep and goats carcasses examined, 34 carcasses (6.8 %) were infected with <em>Cysticercus</em> (21 carcasses (4.2 %) with <em>Cysticercus ovis</em> and 13 carcasses (2.6 %) with<em> Cysticercus tenuicollis</em>). In this study female goats and sheep were more frequently infected than males (<em>p</em><0.05). In addition, the infection rate was significant in different age groups of sheep and goats (<em>p</em><0.05). Findings indicated high frequency of <em>Cysticercus</em> infection in sheep and goats in the studied region. Therefore, the control methods, such as proper disposal of infected tissues and anthelmintic treatment of infected dogs, are necessary to reduce contamination and prevent economic loss in small ruminants. https://ijas.ut.ac.ir/article_103332_44efd80da76ff5ec9aa218021a96f6a0.pdf