The prevalence and pathology of Schistosoma nasale Rao, 1933 in cattle in Sri Lanka

Abstract

SUMMARYDuring 1987 a total of 1393 cattle was examined for Schistosoma nasale infection at the Kandy slaughterhouse, Sri Lanka. The overall prevalence was 12·6% (monthly range 3–17%). Based on the appearance of macroscopic lesions, 6 types (0–5) were recognized; type 5 being the most severe, with cauliflower-like growths obstructing the nasal cavity. Older bovines with 8 permanent incisors were more heavily infected (29·%) than younger ones with no permanent incisors (6·0%). The severity of the lesions increased also with the age of the animals. Observations on the localization of the lesions showed that the first sessile nodular areas appear on the medial septum, on the dorsal edge of the ventral nasal concha and on the lateral wall of the middle meatus of the nasal cavity. Later, they gradually spread over the whole mucosal surface of the anterior part of the cavity but were rarely found further than 10 cm posterior to the nasal opening. The histopathology showed that granuloma formation due to the presence of eggs was the most common feature of the respiratory mucosa.