1Division of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shuhama, Alusteng, P.O. Box 135, Srinagar-190 001, India.
2Division of Veterinary Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shuhama, Alusteng, P.O. Box 135, Srinagar-190 001, India.
Cysticercus pisiformis was observed in 16 out of 100 (16%) Angora rabbits at routine necropsy examination. Gross and histopathological examination revealed that liver was the most severly affected organ. Varying degrees of hepatocellular degeneration, focal necrosis, hepatitis especially triaditis, biliary hyperplasia and granulomatous inflammation associated with viable and degenerated cysts were observed in the liver. Degenerated cysts revealed varying degrees of dystrophic calcification. Host reaction to the cysts ranged from massive mononuclear cellular infiltration to parasitic granulomas associated with heavy fibroplasias. The latter was differentiated into a trilaminar layer with inner loosely arranged fibroblasts and presence of a few macrophages, followed by densely arranged fibroblasts and mononuclear cells and outer concentrically arranged fibrillar connective tissue. Lymphocytic hyperplasia was observed in lymphoid organs including peribronchial lymphoid tissue. Lymphocytic infiltration was noted in mesentry. Kidneys revealed focal nephritis in addition to degenerative changes, vascular engorgement and haemorrhages.
Taenia pisiformis, Cysticercosis, Pathology, Rabbit
