Histochemical study of the hepatic metacestodes in sheep infected with hydatidosis

Abstract

This study aimed at detecting the liver histopathological changes of hydatid cysts sheep infestation. Seventeen sheep liver's samples, infested with hydatid cysts, were collected from the local butchers. The specimens sectioned, processed, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin and some special stains such as Gomori's aldehyde fuschin, Van Gieson, Toluidine blue, Alcian blue, Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) and Mansso's trichrome. The results of haematoxylin and eosin stain of infected groups revealed the presence of the laminated membrane of hydatid cyst in different spots of hepatic tissue encircled by infiltration of inflammatory cells, an increase in fibrous tissue and severe necrotic hepatic tissue. The special stains as in Gomori's aldehyde fuschin revealed the protoscolex in green colour and elastic fibres of connective tissue surrounding hydatid cyst with its laminated membrane in purple colour. Van Gieson stain showed dark brown-purple colour of the elastic fibres reduplication of connective tissue surrounding hydatid cyst, while Toluidine blue stain sections revealed the dark blue stain of acidic components of hydatid cyst laminated membrane and necrotic hepatocytes. Alcian blue stain revealed the blue colour reactivity of the proteoglycans of the connective tissue surrounding hydatid cyst. PAS reaction stain revealed the magenta colour reaction of the intact hepatocytes in the control group comparing with depletion of magenta colour in necrotic hepatocytes surrounding hydatid cyst. Masson's trichrome stain revealed increased collagen fibres of the connective tissue. At the conclusion, it’s evident that infection with hydatid cysts causes a variety of histopathological alterations that appeared through several tissue stains.