The pathology of Cysticercus tenuicollis infection in goats

The pathology of Cysticercus tenuicollis in goats was studied on Days 7, 15, 30 and 60 post-infection. The characteristic gross lesions on the 15th day of infection included accumulation of a large quantity of serofibrinous fluid in the peritoneal and thoracic cavities and a large number of small-sized cysts floating in the fluid of the peritoneal cavity. Large circular brown to red areas with alternate areas of haemorrhages also appeared on the liver surface and in the parenchyma due to migrating C. tenuicollis. The microscopic lesions in the liver included cyst-like channels with a mass of fibrin and erythrocytes. Hepatic cells were mostly degenerated with focal areas of parenchymal destruction. Sinusoids were dilated and the bile ducts revealed degenerative changes. Lungs of animals killed on Day 15, revealed focal areas of emphysema and haemorrhages with lodged larvae of C. tenuicollis. Pleura appeared oedematous. Alveoli showed the presence of serous exudate.