Prevalence of pulmonary hydatidosis in Indian water buffaloes

Abstract

Hydatidosis is a significant disease with economic and zoonotic importance worldwide. It is caused by the adult or larval (metacestode) stages of cestodes from the genus Echinococcus, family Taeniidae, and affects a variety of hosts, including cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, and humans. This study involved the examination of 315 buffalo lungs for pulmonary hydatidosis, revealing an overall prevalence of 4.76% (15/315). Gross examination showed single or multiple enlarged, oval to oblong cysts in the lungs, sometimes embedded within the parenchyma. These cysts contained clear to turbid fluid and numerous protoscolices within the cystic fluid. Out of 15 cysts identified, two were fertile, while 13 were sterile, suggesting a limited but potential role of buffaloes in the transmission of hydatidosis. Microscopically, lung tissues exhibited congestion, emphysema, atelectasis, consolidation and hepatization around the bronchioles, blood vessels, and alveoli. Interstitial or bronchopneumonia was observed, accompanied by granulation tissue formation, infiltration of lymphocytes, plasma cells, macrophages, giant cells, neutrophils. The cyst wall showed trilaminar inflammatory reaction. This study highlights that hydatidosis is not rare in buffaloes and underscores their potential role as a source of transmission.