The use of ultrasound to study the prevalence of hydatid cysts in the right lung and liver of sheep and goats in Turkana, Kenya

Ultrasound examination of the liver and right lung was performed in 260 sheep and 320 goats from the Turkana district of Kenya. Hydatid cysts were visualized in 9.2% of the sheep and 2.5% of the goats. Of the animals positive on ultrasound, 87.5% received post-mortem examinations. Eighteen (6.9%) sheep and 5 (1.5%) goats were positive for hydatid cysts on ultrasound and post-mortem examination. False-positives were a result of Taenia hydatigena cysticerci present in the liver in all but 1 case. Positive predictive value of ultrasound for diagnosis of hydatidosis in sheep and goats was 82.1%.