A comparative evaluation of hematological, biochemical and pathological changes among infected sheep with Cysticercus tenuicollis and non-infected control group.

Cysticercus tenuicollis, the metacestode stage of Taenia hydatigena are responsible for a high degree of morbidity and mortality in livestocks. This study was performed in order to investigate the variations of blood parameters (hematological and biochemical) and pathological changes in 50 sheep infected with C. tenuicollis in comparison with 50 non-infected control group. The blood samples were taken from the sheep that were slaughtered in the Kerman slaughterhouse. Blood and sera samples were analyzed for hematology and biochemical parameters and infected livers, were transported to the pathology laboratory for further examinations. According to the analyses performed on the animals blood, a significant increase was detected in number of white blood cells, activities of AST, ALT and levels of total bilirubin in animals with cysticercosis (p < 0.05). Also in infected animals, a significant reduction was observed in number of red blood cells, hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit values (p < 0.05). In histopathological examination, hepatocellular degeneration and necrosis, fibrosis, mucus gland and biliary hyperplasia, mild lymphocytic hepatitis, granuloma and telangiectasis were observed. It seems that the increased and reduction of significant blood parameters, may be due to liver failure and pathological changes following larval migration and stimulating of immune responses.