Acute caprine fasciolosis: a case with unusual migration to lung

Abstract

Fasciolosis is an important parasitic disease of domestic ruminants and occurs worldwide as a result of infection with liver fluke species. This report describes the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of acute fasciolosis in a goat with unusual migration to lung. A 10-month-old goat was presented with history of weakness and acute recumbency from 12 h ago. The clinicians didn't report clinical evidence of systemic disease. Hematological analysis showed no significant changes in blood parameters except a mild reduction in lymphocyte population and about 6 % eosinophilia and also normocytic normochromic anemia. A noticeable increase in the level of serum ALP, AST and also GLDH were observed. Moreover, total protein and albumin showed a slight decrease in value comparing to reference intervals. In macroscopic examination numerous short vermiform cords were noted on the liver surface and the surface had an uneven appearance. A large number of immature, wandering flukes were seen on the cut surface. Histopathologically, a wide range of hepatic lesions was found. The most important lesions were moderate to severe perihepatitis and haemorrhagic tracts on the hepatic surface. These lesions corresponded to migratory tunnels filled with blood, fibrin and cellular debris. However histopathological findings of lung revealed chronic suppurative bronchopneumonia, but this lesion is not only associated with larval migration.

Keywords: Biochemical and hematological analysis; Fasciolosis; Goat; Histopathology.

Fig. 1

Appearance of the liver and lung at initial examination. a Numerous short vermiform cords on the liver surface with uneven appearance and a large number of immature, wandering flukes on the cut surface (arrows). b A few numbers of immature flukes in the pulmonary parenchyma (arrows)

Fig. 2

Histological sections of liver. a Fresh migrational track filled with blood, fibrin and cellular debris with severe inflammatory reaction around the migrational track (H&E; ×300). b Portal area abundantly infiltrate by eosinophils, lymphocytes, and macrophages (H&E; ×700)

Fig. 3

Histological sections of lung. a Multiple areas of necrosis and sequestration foci within the pneumonic portions (H&E; ×300). b Cellular infiltration in the alveolar lumen and walls consist of macrophages, lymphocytes, plasma cells and neutrophils (H&E; ×3000)