Monitoring of parasitic cysts in the brains of a flock of sheep in Egypt

Abstract

Cerebral parasitic cysts constitute a major problem for livestock. Among these, coenurosis and toxoplasmosis are predominant. Here, a total number of 60 sheep obtained from a private farm in Suez province, Egypt, were examined postmortem to detect visible parasitic cysts, and microscopically to detect small-sized entities. Necropsy revealed bladder-like cysts measuring 0.5-6.5 cm in diameter that were filled with a translucent fluid containing a large number of protoscolices. Accordingly, the cysts were identified as the metacestode Coenurus cerebralis. Among the sheep examined, 11 animals (7 males and 4 females) (18.3%) were infected. Most of the cysts were located in the cerebral hemispheres, with numbers ranging from one to three per infected animal. The effect of the presence of cysts in the brain tissue was evaluated. Histopathologically, pseudocysts of the apicomplexan Toxoplasma gondii were found in two animals with no detectable inflammatory cell reactions. In conclusion, coenurosis and toxoplasmosis are serious parasitic problems that play a significant role in sheep management in Egypt, as a result of close contact between livestock and dogs and cats, which play a critical role in the life cycle of these parasites.Keywords: Coenurus cerebralis, Toxoplasma gondii, sheep. ResumoCistos cerebrais parasitários constituem um grande problema para o gado. Entre estes, coenurosis e toxoplasmose são predominantes. Aqui, um número total de 60 ovelhas obtidas em uma fazenda particular na província Suez, Egito, foram examinadas post-mortem para a detecção de cistos parasitários visíveis e microscopicamente para detectar cistos de pequenas dimensões. A necropsia revelou cistos medindo entre 0,5-6,5 cm de diâmetro, preenchidos com um fluido transparente, contendo um grande número de protoscolices. Por conseguinte, os cistos foram identificados como o metacestóide Coenurus cerebralis. Entre as ovelhas examinadas, 11 animais (7 machos e 4 fêmeas) (18,3%) estavam infectados. A maior parte dos cistos estavam localizados nos hemisférios cerebrais, com números variando de um a três em ovinos infectados. O efeito da presença de cistos no tecido do cérebro foi avaliado. Histopatologicamente, pseudocistos de Toxoplasma gondii foram encontrados em dois animais sem reações inflamatórias detectáveis. Em conclusão, coenurosis e toxoplasmose são graves problemas parasitários que desempenham um papel significativo no manejo de ovelhas no Egito, como resultado do contacto íntimo dos animais com os cães e gatos, que desempenham um papel crítico no ciclo de vida desses parasitas.

Coenurus cerebralis and its pathology in an organized farm of Tamil Nadu

“…In the present study, prevalence rate of C. cerebralis cysts in Madras red sheep was 12.30 % (Table 1). Similar findings were observed by Gicik et al (2007), Tavassoli et al (2011) and Anwar et al (2013), who found that 15.50, 18.65 and 18.30 % of sheep were infected with C. cerebralis cysts in Turkey, Iran and Egypt, respectively. Other authors reported the prevalence of Coenurus cysts in brain ranging from 0.35 to 9.8 % in sheep (Panisup et al 1979;Karim 1979;Akkaya and Vurusaner 1998;Varma and Malviya 1989;Oryan et al 1994;Bussell et al 1997;Achenef et al 1999;Abo-Shehada et al 2002;Scala et al 2007).…”

Oestrus ovis infection of grazing sheep during summer in southern Chile

“…Some animals may present a serious infection when the larvae enter the brain through the foramina and they may develop encephalitis, manifesting ataxia, hemiparesis and blindness (Mozaffari et al 2013). Severe injury of the brain tissue may produce a characteristic behavior in sheep known as "gid" which resembles the lesion produced by Coenurus cerebralis, the larval stage of Taenia multiceps (Anwar et al 2013). Considering the cold winter season in southern Chile, the presence of new infections can only be observed from late spring to early autumn, coinciding with the reproductive activity of adult flies.…”

Molecular and Phylogenetic Status of Coenurus cerebralis Infecting Sheep from Dakahlia Province, Egypt

“…Although, neurological signs caused by C. cerebralis are common among sheep and goats, some animals remain normal and seemed to be healthy, and were diagnosed only after death (Sharma and Chauhan, 2006). Previously in Egypt, C. cerebralis infection was estimated as 18.3% in a sheep flock from Suez Canal province (Anwar et al, 2013). Desouky et al (2011) reported 100% prevalence in clinically diseased sheep from Cairo, although they did not found any cysts in the apparently healthy animals.…”