Exploring pathological studies on GID in small ruminants raised in the northern Himalayas of Kashmir: A detailed series of case report

Abstract

Coenurus cerebralis is the larval stage of Taenia multiceps, which affects the central nervous system and causes neurological symptoms in small ruminants. This study aimed to investigate the clinical manifestations and pathomorphological changes in the brains of naturally infected sheep raised at Sheep research station, SKUAST Kashmir. For this study, ten weaner sheep with age group ranged between 7- 8 months, that died from the disease were included. The clinical examination of the affected animals showed neurological symptoms such as incoordination, disorientation, head pressing, seizures, staggering gait and circling motion. The post-mortem examination of the affected sheep revealed the presence of coenurosis cysts in the cerebral hemispheres of the brain. The gross examination of the cysts revealed multiple scolices attached to the wall, with hook-like structures inside. The microscopic examination revealed that all cysts were lined with stratified squamous epithelium with intraluminal keratinaceous debris. The histopathological examination of the affected brain tissue showed demyelination, degeneration, inflammatory cell infiltration, neuronal necrosis and perivascular cuffing. This research offers valuable information on the typical clinical signs and pathomorphology of the disease, which are essential for the early detection of the causative agent and for confirming the diagnosis.