Temesgen Abraham Belete, Mitiku Tadegegn, Birhan Mastewal, Kebede Mersha Chanie, Yesuf Mohammed, Mekonnen Muluken Yayeh, Alemayehu Moges Maru, Malede Birhan Anagaw, Geda Abdo Megra, Tumebo Aregash Wendimu, Shiferaw Kefale Ambachew, Wassie Zerihun Getie, Berie Genetu Kassahun, Mengistu Bemrew Admassu, Feleke Melaku Getahun, Edenshaw Fikadu, Yitie Mulusew Tesfaye, Kasse Gashaw Enbiyale, Tsehay Elias Melkamu, Shiferaw Samuel Atalay
Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Vet Med Sci. 2025 Jul;11(4):e70461. doi: 10.1002/vms3.70461.
Fasciolosis is a neglected zoonotic parasitic disease caused by Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica. It is a serious public health and veterinary concern, with significant consequences for both human and livestock populations. An abattoir-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January to September 2023 at Gondar ELFORA Abattoir, Northwest Ethiopia, to assess haematobiochemical alterations and pathological lesions induced by fasciolosis in slaughtered cattle. The study included one hundred apparently healthy male local-breed cattle, divided into two groups of fifty: one infected and one non-infected. Cattle were selected using a purposive sampling technique. Infected cattle showed significantly lower mean values for haemoglobin (HGB), haematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), total erythrocyte count (TEC), lymphocytes, monocytes, total protein, albumin and glucose compared to non-infected cattle. Conversely, they had higher mean values for mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), total leukocyte count (TLC), neutrophils, eosinophils, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Basophil levels were similar in both groups. Liver alterations observed in acute fasciolosis included hepatomegaly with rounded edges and the presence of juvenile flukes within the parenchyma, while in chronic fasciolosis, the liver appeared smaller and firm, with a corrugated capsule and dilated bile ducts containing twisted flukes. Microscopically, acute fasciolosis showed eosinophil infiltration, hemosiderin pigmentation and congestion around the central vein and sinusoids, whereas chronic fasciolosis showed fibrosis, bile duct proliferation, and metaplasia of epithelial cells from columnar to cuboidal. The observed findings indicate a severe hepatic and systemic disease process driven by parasitic infection, resulting in significant compromise of the cattle's health. Therefore, regular screening and effective deworming are essential to control bovine fasciolosis, especially in high-risk abattoirs. Haematology and biochemical tests should be part of routine diagnosis for early detection and liver function assessment, while histopathology confirms the infection stage. Enhancing stakeholder awareness and training is vital and further research on seasonal patterns, risk factors and drug resistance is needed to improve control strategies.
肝片吸虫病是一种由肝片吸虫和巨片吸虫引起的被忽视的人畜共患寄生虫病。它是一个严重的公共卫生和兽医问题，对人类和牲畜群体都有重大影响。2023年1月至9月，在埃塞俄比亚西北部的贡德尔ELFORA屠宰场进行了一项基于屠宰场的横断面研究，以评估肝片吸虫病对屠宰牛造成的血液生化改变和病理损伤。该研究包括100头表面健康的本地品种雄性牛，分为两组，每组50头：一组感染，一组未感染。采用目的抽样技术选择牛只。与未感染的牛相比，感染的牛在血红蛋白（HGB）、血细胞比容（HCT）、平均红细胞体积（MCV）、总红细胞计数（TEC）、淋巴细胞、单核细胞、总蛋白、白蛋白和葡萄糖方面的平均值显著较低。相反，它们在平均红细胞血红蛋白浓度（MCHC）、总白细胞计数（TLC）、中性粒细胞、嗜酸性粒细胞、天冬氨酸转氨酶（AST）、丙氨酸转氨酶（ALT）和碱性磷酸酶（ALP）方面的平均值较高。两组的嗜碱性粒细胞水平相似。急性肝片吸虫病中观察到的肝脏改变包括肝脏肿大，边缘圆润，实质内有幼吸虫；而在慢性肝片吸虫病中，肝脏显得较小且坚实，包膜有皱纹，胆管扩张，内有扭曲的吸虫。显微镜下，急性肝片吸虫病表现为嗜酸性粒细胞浸润、含铁血黄素沉着以及中央静脉和血窦周围充血，而慢性肝片吸虫病表现为纤维化、胆管增生以及上皮细胞从柱状到立方状的化生。观察结果表明，寄生虫感染引发了严重的肝脏和全身疾病过程，导致牛的健康受到重大损害。因此，定期筛查和有效的驱虫对于控制牛肝片吸虫病至关重要，尤其是在高风险的屠宰场。血液学和生化检测应作为早期检测和肝功能评估的常规诊断的一部分，而组织病理学可确认感染阶段。提高利益相关者的认识和培训至关重要，还需要对季节性模式、风险因素和耐药性进行进一步研究，以改进控制策略。
