An outbreak of acute fasciolosis in goats of Chhattisgarh

An outbreak of acute fasciolosis occurred at Goat Breeding Farm, Pakaria, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh. Out of 416 goats, 36 goats (21 females and 15 males) exhibiting symptoms of dullness, weakness, anorexia and paleness of visible mucous membrane died within a time span of 16 days. The mortality rate in male goats was 16.55% compared to 6.50% in females. The post-mortem examination of dead animals revealed extensive haemorrhage and marked destruction of liver parenchyma. The mean haematological values of RBC, Hb and PCV were decreased in clinically infected goats. The mean values of total serum protein and albumin were also decreased in infected animals. In addition, the mean biochemical values of serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase in sick animals were higher. The histopathological changes in the livers of infected animals revealed excessive proliferation of fibrous tissue around the bile duct along with infiltration of numerous eosinophils admixed with lymphocytes. Sections of fluke remnants surrounded by clear spaces were found in the dilated and thickened bile ducts. The migratory tracts of the immature liver flukes were filled with necrosed hepatocytes and there was infiltration of eosinophils with lymphocytes along with haemorrhage and proliferation of fibrous tissue. The migrating flukes produced severe reaction in the host tissue and in the later stages they became surrounded by macrophages, eosinophils and granular tissue.