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Avian Liver Fluke Infection in Indigenous Ducks in Bangladesh: Prevalence and Pathology

Anisuzzaman
Department of Parasitology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202

M.A. Alim
Department of Parasitology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202

M.K. Islam
Department of Parasitology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202

P.M. Das
Department of Pathology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202

T. Farjana
Department of Parasitology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202

M.M.H. Mondal
Department of Parasitology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The prevalence and pathological effects of the trematodes in liver and gallbladder of the indigenous ducks in Bangladesh were investigated during the period from July 2003 to June 2004. Out of 300 ducks examined, 208 (69.33%) ducks were infected with one or more species of avian liver flukes. The liver fluke species, recovered from the liver and gallbladder were: Metorchis Orientalis (55.33%), Amphimerus anatis (54.33%), Amphimerus lancea (12.00%) and Amphimerus caudalitestis (1.00%). The highest prevalence was recorded in monsoon (91.30%) followed by winter (76.51%) and summer (49.52%). Similarly, the parasitic load was relatively higher in monsoon (23.10±3.10) followed by winter (18.76±2.98) and summer (08.99±2.95). The prevalence of the trematodes was significantly (P<0.01) higher in adult ducks (82.61%) than in young ducks (25.71%). The mean parasitic density was also higher in adult ducks (25.24±3.99) of > 6 months age than in the young ducks (06.91±1.39) of <6 months age. An almost similar rate of infection was recorded in male (70.71%) and female (68.13%) ducks with an average parasitic burden of 26.41±3.54 and 24.92±2.96 respectively. In most cases, the parasitized liver was slightly atrophied characterized by the smaller size with shrinkage or wrinkling of the liver capsule. The edges or borders of the livers were sharp along with tiny white necrotic foci in some cases. On cut surface, the parasites were found in the bile ducts but no calcification was detected. Grossly, gallbladder was apparently normal containing adult parasites in it. Histopathologically, cross-sections of parasites with their eggs and cellular debris were found within the bile ducts. Desquamation of the bile duct epithelium was observed but in some cases, the bile duct epithelium was hyperplastic in nature. Microabscesses with infiltration of lymphocytes, macrophages, and polymorphonuclear cells predominantly neutrophils were revealed in the hepatic lobules. The proliferation of the fibroblasts occurred around the bile ducts. But in advanced cases, extensive fibrosis was observed which extended from the portal triads to the adjacent hepatic lobules resulting in disorganization of the normal hepatic architecture leading to cirrhosis. In severe cases, the normal structures of the bile ducts were almost obliterated by the extensive proliferation of the fibroblasts converting it into a fibrous tube. This study suggests that the avian liver flukes of the indigenous ducks of all ages and sexes may be a major problem.

Keywords: Avian liver fluke, Indigenous ducks, Prevalence, Pathology

Location: Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Parasitology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

Start Date: 00-07-2003

End Date: 00-06-2004

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Duck, Diseases

Objectives:

This paper will describe the prevalence of avian liver flukes infections in indigenous domestic ducks in relation to the age and sex of the host, seasons of the year, and the pathological lesions produced by the parasites in hosts.

Methodology:

The study was conducted in the Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Parasitology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, from July 2003 to June 2004. A total of 300 indigenous ducks reared under a semi-scavenging system were purchased from local markets of different areas of Mymensingh district and slaughtered for post-mortem examination following the standard procedure as described by Fowler (1990). The liver and gallbladder of the slaughtered ducks were examined carefully to detect the pathological lesions if any. The gallbladder was removed from the liver and opened in a petridish containing a sufficient amount of normal saline. The liver was cut into small pieces of about 1 cu. cm size and kept into normal saline in a separate petridish for about one hour. Then the pieces were pressed gently so that the remaining parasites may come out. The tissues were removed and the washings were made clear by several sedimentations. The washings were examined and parasites were collected by the help of a dropper. The parasites were preserved in 10% formalin. The detailed morphological characteristics were, studied by preparing permanent slides according to the procedure as described by Cable (1957). The gross pathological lesions were recorded and the affected organs: were collected and preserved in 10% buffered neutral formalin. For the histopathological, study, slides were prepared following the methods as described by Luna (1968). Parasites were identified according to the keys given by Yamaguti (1958) and Soulsby (1982). For the convenience of the study of seasonal dynamics, the year was divided into; three seasons such as monsoon (July to October), winter season (November to February) and summer (March to June). To study the influence of age, the ducks were divided into two categories such as adult ducks (>6 months of age) and young ducks (<6 months 'of age). In ducklings, sexes were identified by the digital palpation of the penis according to the procedure as described by Parkhurst and Mounteney (1988). The data were analyzed by the SPSS package program by using a t-test.

Source of Information: J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 3(1): 87-94, 2005 ISSN 1810-3030

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Achievement/Findings:

Gross pathological lesions of the affected liver characterized by its smaller size, shrinkage or wrinkling of the liver capsule associated with small white spots on the parietal surface can not be compared due to lack of information on the pathology of avian liver flukes since very little research effort has. been made to study the pathology of these trematodes. This study did not record acute gross lesions as those have been described in the case of fascioliasis in ruminants (Soulsby, 1965). This finding suggests that liver fluke infections of ducks may be chronic in nature. Histopathologically, desquamation and hyperplasia of the bile ducts epithelium occurred possibly from the traumatic injury induced by the chronic irritation of the adult parasites on the bile duct wall. Similar types of desquamation and hyperplasia of bile duct epithelium had been reported by Soulsby (1965) due to Opisthorchis felineus infection in dogs. Urquhart et al (1999) reported that hyperplasia of bile duct epithelium was a common feature in case of fascioliasis in ruminants. The bile ducts occupied by the trematodes were distended and they usually exert pressure on the surrounding tissues resulting in variable degrees of tissue destruction. These destroyed tissues were repaired by the proliferation of fibroblasts resulting in biliary cirrhosis as it has been reported in the case of dicrocoeliasis and fascioliasis (Soulsby, 1965) in ruminants. Cellular infiltration with lymphocytes, macrophages and polymorphonuclear cells, predominantly with neutrophils were observed but no eosinophilic infiltration was detected. The absence of eosinophilic infiltration is in contrast to the earlier findings for fasciolosis in buffaloes (Alim et al, 2000) and Fascioloides magna infection in sheep (Jones et al.; 1997). However, Jones et al. (1997) described the absence of eosinophilic infiltration in the case of Spirocerca lupi infection in dogs.

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