This study aimed to assess the prevalence, economic losses, molecular
characterization, and histopathology of hydatid cysts in slaughtered cattle and buffaloes
across three abattoirs (Al-Shuhada, Ashmoun, and Khalij Al-Arab) in Menoufia governorate,
Egypt over two years from March 2021 to May 2023. The overall prevalence of hydatid
cysts was 0.96%, with cattle exhibiting a substantially higher prevalence rate (1.05%)
compared to buffaloes (0.55%). The higher prevalence rate was observed in older female
cattle (1.90%). The liver exhibited a greater predilection site for infection (0.63%) versus
the lungs (0.33%). Our study estimated economic losses due to organ condemnation
totaled 50600 EGP. Morphological and histopathological examinations were recorded. PCR
and Sequence analysis of NADH dehydrogenase gene showed that the sequence of hydatid
cyst from slaughtered cattle in the present study was E. ortleppi. It had high identity percent
(93.33%-99.57%) with sequences of E. ortleppi from Egypt, Sudan, Namibia, India, China,
Japan, Germany, Ukraine and Argentina and occurred in the same clade. According to these
results, hydatidosis poses a significant veterinary and economic risk to the cow and buffalo
populations under study in Egypt, necessitating better preventive and control measures.