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Journal of Parasitic Diseases: Official Organ of the Indian Society for Parasitology logoLink to Journal of Parasitic Diseases: Official Organ of the Indian Society for Parasitology
. 2014 Jul 6;40(1):214–216. doi: 10.1007/s12639-014-0474-y

A rare case of spleenic hydatidosis in a buffalo: patho-morphological study

C Sreedevi 1,✉, M Anitha Devi 2, P Annapurna 3, V Rama Devi 3
PMCID: PMC4815841  PMID: 27065630

Abstract

Hydatidosis, a zoonotic disease caused by the metacestode of Echinococcus granulosus is considered an economically important disease due to the condemnation of affected visceral organs of domestic animals. The lungs and liver are the most commonly affected organs and is less frequently observed in spleen particularly in buffaloes compared to cattle. Out of 980 slaughtered buffaloes screened for hydatidosis a case of spleenic hydatidosis was noticed. A single cyst projecting from the surface of the spleen was observed. On incision clear watery fluid along with granular structures (protoscolices) escaped out. The inner surface of cyst contained thin, white, translucent membrane studded with cluster of brood capsules. Microscopic examination revealed germinal layer with protoscolices along with eosinophilic laminated layer. There was fibrous connective tissue proliferation around the laminated layer and a mild depletion of the lymphoid cells in the surrounding white follicles.

Keywords: Buffalo, Spleen, Hydatid cyst, Histopathology

Introduction

Hydatidosis, a disease caused by the metacestode (hydatid cyst) of Echinococcus granulosus, a tape worm of dog is considered as one of the major zoonotic cestode. Hydatidosis is considered as an economically important disease due to the condemnation of affected visceral organs of domestic animals that act as intermediate host. The organ-wise incidence of hydatidosis in buffaloes was reported by authors in different parts of the world (Chaudhary et al. 1989; Mirani et al. 2002; Lat-lat et al. 2006; Kumar et al. 2007; Sangaran and John 2010). The lungs and liver were the most common organs affected not only in human beings but also in animals (Samavatian et al. 2009; Gohain Borua et al. 2010; Mushtaque et al. 2012). Hydatidosis is less frequently observed in spleen particularly in buffaloes compare to cattle (Kumar et al. 2007; Sangaran and John 2010; Khan et al. 2013). The pathomorphological description of a hydatid cyst in the spleen of a slaughtered buffalo is presented here.

Materials and methods

A total of 980 slaughtered buffaloes were screened for the presence of hydatid cysts for a period of one year at local slaughtered house, Vizayawada, Andhra Pradesh. The different organs were carefully examined and palpated for presence of any gross abnormality. The organs affected with hydatid cysts were collected at the time of slaughter and were brought to the laboratory. The representative tissue pieces were collected from the cyst and were fixed in 10 % neutral buffered formalin and processed routinely for histopathological evaluation.

Results and discussion

Hydatidosis was observed in 303 (30.61 %) animals out of 980 slaughtered buffaloes. Spleenic hydatidosis was observed only in one buffalo (0.33 %). Incidence of spleenic hydatidosis was less (1.18 %) in buffaloes slaughtered at Chennai compared to pulmonary and hepatic hydatidosis (Sangaran and John 2010). Recently Khan et al. (2013) also reported low prevalence of spleenic hydatidosis (0.13 %) compared to other internal organs in slaughter house of Mirha Exports Pvt. Ltd. No hydatid cysts were observed in the spleen of 500 slaughtered buffaloes examined at Larkana abattoir in Pakistan (Mirani et al. 2002) and also in 600 slaughtered buffaloes examined at different slaughter houses in and around Patna (Kumar et al. 2007). Present investigation revealed a single cyst (6 cm diameter) projecting from the surface of the spleen (Fig. 1). On incision a clear watery fluid along with granular structures (protoscolices) escaped out (Fig. 2). The inner surface of cyst contained thin, white, translucent membrane studded with cluster of granular structures called as brood capsules. Microscopic examination revealed a thin eosinophilic laminated layer along with the germinal layer (Fig. 3). There was a fibrous connective tissue proliferation around the laminated layer and cellular infiltration comprising of macrophages and lymphocytes. Depletion of the lymphoid cells in the surrounding white pulp was noticed (Fig. 4). The gross and histopathological findings in the present case were correlated with the lesions described in spleenic hydatidosis of pig (Singh 2000) and in sheep (Vural et al. 2005). Spleenic hydatidosis was common in cattle, sheep and goat than in buffaloes (Chaudhary et al. 1989; Gita Biswas et al. 1989; Kumar et al. 2007; Getaw et al. 2010).

Fig. 1.

Fig. 1

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Spleen with hydatid cyst

Fig. 2.

Fig. 2

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Stained preparation of hydatid sand showing protoscolex

Fig. 3.

Fig. 3

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Germinal layer with protoscolices along with eosinophilic laminated layer. a Eosinophilic laminated layer. b Germinal layer with protoscolices

Fig. 4.

Fig. 4

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Mild depletion of lymphoid cells in surrounding white follicles

Acknowledgments

The author is thankful to the Associate Dean, NTR College of Veterinary Science, Gannavaram, for the facilities provided.

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