Retrospective pathological studies on gastrointestinal tract parasitic diseases in cattle and buffaloes at EL-Dakahlyia province

Abstract

Background and objective: The present study was carried out to study gross pathology, histopathological examination of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of animals affected with helminthes and protozoan parasites in cattle and buffaloes slaughtered in Mansoura governmental abattoir and necropsied in local dairy farms at EL-Dakahlyia Province. Materials and methods: Different kinds of trematodes, cestodes and nematodes were generally screened during the period 2017-2020 by post-mortem examination of 12,250 slaughtered bovine carcasses. Results: Out of 12,250 slaughtered bovine carcasses, 3604 cases (29%) were affected with gastrointestinal parasites. Helminthes and protozoan parasites were encountered in 3209 (89%) and 395 (10.9%) cases, respectively. The observed helminthes were nematodes (Gongylonema pulchrum, toxocara vitillorum), trematodes (Fasciola; F. gigantica) and cestodes (Moniezia, hydatid cyst), while sarcosporidia, eimeria and cryptosporidia were the encountered protozoa. Grossly, fasciola and hydatid cysts were detected in liver, gongelonema pulchrum, major sarcocysts were detected in esophagus, toxocara vitillorum were detected in small intestine. Minor sarcocysts, intestinal cryptosporidiosis and coccidiosis were discovered microscopically. The histopathological lesions were graded from 0 (no lesion), I (mild), II (moderate) to III (severe). Conclusion: No or minimal lesions as observed with living gongelonema, major and minor sarcocysts to severe caseation, calcification and granuloma formation as demonstrated with hydatid cysts and fasciola.