Pathomorphological alterations in goats afflicted with cystic echinococcosis

Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate the gross and histopathological alteration of cystic echinococcosis in slaughtered goats at Deonar abattoir, Mumbai, Maharashtra. The affected organs revealed multiple cysts of varying sizes, with soft and malleable consistency and cloudy fluid. Upon removal of the fluid, the cyst collapsed and the germinal membrane detached easily. However, some cysts showed calcification and gritty texture. Histopathological examination of the liver sections revealed vacuolar and cystic degeneration, cytoplasmic rarefication, necrosis, congestion, dilatation of sinusoidal spaces, infiltration of mononuclear cells (MNC), fibrosis, collagen fiber deposition around the central vein and hepatic triad, bile duct hyperplasia, atrophy, erythrocyte infiltration, and infiltration of inflammatory cells at the junction of the cystic wall and hepatic parenchyma. The lungs showed congestion, hemorrhage, necrotic changes, inflammatory cell infiltration, peribronchial lymphoid aggregation, hyperplasia, emphysematous changes, and interalveolar septal thickening. Histopathologically, the spleen showed congestion, lymphocytic depletion, proliferative fibrous changes, young, growing connective tissue, and infiltration of inflammatory cells.