Schistosomal lesions in the bovine uterus

Inspection of bovine female genitalia at a major abattoir in north-eastern Zimbabwe showed schistosome-induced granulomas in uterine walls. Thirty-six non-pregnant and 7 pregnant uteri of 3441 examined, had lesions either in the mid-dorsal aspect of the uterine body or in the horns. The reproductive history of the cows was not known but the 7 pregnancies appeared normal. Lesions were most severe in the myometrium and consisted of rings of multinucleated giant cells and macrophages occurring around eggs and masses of eosinophils on the outside. The parasite is presumed to be Schistosoma mattheei.