[Pathohistological changes in splenectomized sheep experimentally infected with Babesia ovis]

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Pathology
• Parasitology

Context:

• Babesiasis is a significant tick-borne parasitic disease affecting livestock worldwide.
• Experimental infection models are crucial for understanding disease pathogenesis and developing diagnostic strategies.

Purpose:

• To histopathologically examine the viscera of sheep experimentally infected with acute babesiasis.
• To identify characteristic morphologic changes indicative of babesiasis for postmortem diagnosis.

Summary:

• Histopathological examination of liver, lung, kidneys, heart, lymph nodes, and brain in experimentally infected sheep revealed dystrophic changes in liver and kidney epithelial cells, pycnosis of gangliar cells, endocardial edema, and lymph node alterations.
• Characteristic morphologic changes, including dystrophic foci in the liver, endothelial activation, hemosiderin in Kupffer cells, and leucocyte infiltration, were observed by the fourth day post-infection.
• The presence of parasites within erythrocytes, alongside these histomorphologic signs, is crucial for the postmortem diagnosis of sheep babesiasis.

Impact:

• Establishes key histomorphologic indicators for the accurate postmortem diagnosis of sheep babesiasis.
• Contributes to a better understanding of the pathological mechanisms of babesiasis in sheep.
• Provides valuable insights for veterinary diagnostics and disease management strategies in affected regions.