Research Article Histopathology of the liver naturally infected with Gigantocotyle explanatum in Buffaloes

Aim: This study was undertaken to study the histopathology of the liver suffering with the natural infection of Hepatic fluke (Gigantocotyle explanatum) in buffaloes. Material & Method: Total of 30 positive Gigantocotyle explanatuminfected liver were collected from local abattoirs after examining grossly the outer surface of the liver and bile duct opening for the presence of the parasite during post mortem. Tissue pieces were preserved in 10% neutral buffered formal saline solution and were processed and stained with H&E stain for histopathological examination. Result: The predominant features were pale, enlarged firm liver with thickened distented bile ducts and multifocal granulomatous nodules throughout the surface. Histopathological study of tissue sections which were cut adjacent to nodule revealed intense infiltration of inflammatory cells such as lymphocytes ,macrophages, plasmacells, eosinophils as well as fibrocytes along with extensive proliferation of fibrous connective tissue in the portal areas with mononuclear cell infiltration. Conclusion: Amphistomosis appeared to be most neglected parasitic disease which is widely prevalent in near by areas affecting animal health and production. This study describ es the pathology of the disease and its impact which helps in taking initiatives for making strategies regarding proper control and prevention of the disease to lower its incidence rate.