Liver Fluke Infestation in Purple Heron Ardea purpurea

The present study reports pathological conditions associated with liver fluke infestation in a Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) at Wild Animals Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, Bengaluru. Purple herons are commonly seen in the lakes around Bengaluru and feed on the fish, snails and other fauna. One Purple heron was rescued and housed at Wild Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre at Bannerghatta Biological Park. After death, the Purple heron was submitted to Wild Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory for necropsy and systematically examined. Faecal samples were collected and examined; where golden yellow colored eggs of Fasciola sp. were found. On gross examination, liver was found to be enlarged with whitish necrotic spots on the surface. Kidneys were pale with enlarged ureters. Histopathologically, kidney revealed diffuse degeneration of tubular structures and accumulation of uric acid crystals in the tubules. Liver showed proliferation of bile ducts along with degenerating flukes, areas of ossification, desquamation of epithelium and periductular fibrous tissue proliferation.