Report of cysticercosis in sheep of Ballesta, Bolivar, Colombia

Abstract

Sheep are the intermediate hosts of Cysticercus tenuicollis, the metacestodeof Taenia hydatigena. Cysticercosis produces economic losses associatedwith loss of condition and offal condemnation at slaughter. The aim ofthis study was to determine the prevalence of C. tenuicollis cysts in sheep,the most common sites and the histology of livers affected by this parasitein Bolivar, Colombia. This study included 23 sheep (4 females and 19males) and it was carried out between August and November 2015. Theprevalence of C. tenuicollis cysts was 39.13% (9/23). Fifty six percent (5/9)of the animals had body condition (BC: scale of 1 to 5) of 2; 22% (2/9) 3, and22% (2/9) 4. A single cyst was found in 78% (7/9) of the animals, and 22%(2/9) had two cysts. Cysts were located in the rumen serosa: 44% (4/9);abomasal serosa: 22% (2/9); liver: 22% (2/9); bladder serosa 22% (2/9);and diaphragm: 11% (1/9). The C. tenuicollis metacestodes belonged to thespecies Taenia hydatigena. Lesions in the liver of all affected animals consistedof severe infiltration of eosinophils, lymphocytes and plasma cells.Also present were areas of periportal fibrosis. In conclusion, cysticercosisdamages the liver of sheep and potentially have a deleterious effect on theproductivity of the flock. This is the first report describing post-mortemdiagnosis of Cysticercus tenuicollis infection in sheep in Colombia.