Histopathological observations in ovine schistosomosis

A study was undertaken to understand the histopathological changes associated with visceral schistosomosis in sheep. The tissues for the study were collected from the slaughter houses and meat markets in varous districts of Karnataka. The infection was confirmed by demonstrating typical eggs of S. indicum on digestion of the liver tissue. Grossly, the liver was enlarged, hard and yellowish with minute white foci over the surface. Histologically, egg granulomas formed the most prominent lesion. The other changes included fibrosis, mild biliary hyperplasia and vacuolation of the liver tissue. Blackish brown cloured haemosiderin pigments were observed scattered in the hepatic parenchyma.