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Case Report · Volume 3, Issue 2, Pages 99–108, 12 January 2015 · Open Access

Histopathological and Parasitological Study of Blood-Sucking <i>Haemonchus</i> <i>contortus</i> Infection in Sheep

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Journal:
Advances in Animal and Veterinary Sciences
Published:
12 January 2015
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From the article

  • Haemonchus contortus is an important blood-sucking nematode which has produce anemia and hypoproteinaemia in small ruminants that may be fatal particularly to young animals.
  • The present study clearly describes the clinical signs, gross lesions of haemonchosis and their correlation with histopathological findings and parasitological examination.

Selected from the article's own text.

Abstract

Mani Saminathan1*, Arumugam Gopalakrishnan2, Annamalai Latchumikanthan3, Arockiasamy Arun Prince Milton4, Manivasagam Aravind3, Kuldeep Dhama1, Rajendra Singh1

1Division of Pathology; 2Division of Medicine; 3Division of Parasitology; 4Division of Veterinary Public Health, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar, Bareilly (UP) – 243122, India.

*Correspondence | Mani Saminathan, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, India; Email: drswamyvet@gmail.com

Abstract
Haemonchus contortus is a most prevalent, highly pathogenic and economically important nematode of small ruminants. A 10 months old non-descript, female sheep was presented with the history of anorexia, weight loss and voiding dark colour diarrheic faeces. On clinical examination revealed severe emaciation, lateral recumbent position, and pale and anaemic mucous membranes. Post mortem examination revealed pale, hide bound carcass and gelatinization of subcutaneous fat. Internal organs were pale, hydrothorax and ascites were noticed. Liver was swollen, hard and multiple different sized calcified nodules were found. Multiple tiny cysts were present in spleen. Abomasal mucosa showed severe congestion, pin point petechial haemorrhages, watery bloody contents with numerous minute hair like H. contortus worms. Small intestinal mucosa was congested and petechial to ecchymotic haemorrhages were noticed. Caecal mucosa was congested; pin-point haemorrhages and few whipworms were found. Histopathological examination revealed haemorrhages, edema, desquamation and eosinophilic infiltration in the abomasal villi. Spleen showed hemosiderosis and encapsulated cyst with homogenous eosinophilic material lined by thick fibrous wall. Liver showed bile duct hyperplasia, degeneration of hepatocyte and mononuclear cell infiltration. Glomerulus showed eosinophilic protenacious edematous fluid and atrophy of the glomeruli. Parasitological examination revealed numerous H. contortus eggs (+++) and adult female was identified by presence of vulval flap and adult male by presence of spicules, ‘Y’ shaped dorsal rays and copulatory bursa. The present study clearly describes the clinical signs, gross lesions, histopathological changes of haemonchosis and parasite morphology which perfectly correlates with the pathogenesis of H. contortus.

Keywords | Haemonchus contortus, Abomasum, Sheep, Histopathology, Parasitological examination

CONCLUSION

Haemonchus contortus is an important blood-sucking nematode which has produce anemia and hypoproteinaemia in small ruminants that may be fatal particularly to young animals. Anemia is the major feature responsible for pathogenesis haemonchosis infection. The present study clearly describes the clinical signs, gross lesions of haemonchosis and their correlation with histopathological findings and parasitological examination. In the present study, cause of death due to specifically acute H. contortus infection results in hemorrhagic anaemia, hypoproteinemia, oedema of dependent parts, diarrhoea results in fluid loss and dehydration leads to hypovolaemic shock. The major activities for controlling haemonchosis infection includes rotational usage of different anti-helminthetic drugs, correct identification of parasitic species, correct usage of drug of choice, appropriate dosage of drug, change the grazing areas frequently to break the life cycle of parasite and rotational grazing methods.

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Cited by 2 articles

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Histopathological and Parasitological Study of Blood-Sucking <i>Haemonchus</i> <i>contortus</i> Infection in Sheep · ResearchersLinks