Pathological and parasitological evidences of non-cerebral Coenurus gaigeri infection in goats

The Coenurus gaigeri is a larval stage of Taenia multiceps and causes non-cerebral coenurosis, particularly in goats and sheep.The present report is a review of three cases affected by non-cerebral coenurosis in native goats.In this communication, we described pathological and parasitological characteristics of non-cerebral coenurosis in goats.Three goats aged 15, 18 and 25 months were referred to the Department of Veterinary Pathology, Post Graduate Institute of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Akola, Maharashtra, for necropsy.At necropsy, multiple fluid-filled superficial cysts with white clusters of scolices having 2-4 cm diameter were noticed on the heart, liver, subcutaneous tissue and musculature.Multiple cysts having single bladderworm were recovered in the affected animal.Cysts had a volume of approximately 5-8 mL and an average number of scolices ranging from 69-76.Cysts were surrounded by the fibrous, semi-opaque and pale white color membranes.There were no cysts in the brain or spinal cord of infected goats.Histopathological examination of affected organs revealed multiple scolices growing on the internal layer of the cyst, parenchymatous pressure atrophy in the affected organs, and chronic granulomatous reaction surrounding the cystic layer.Based on parasitological and histopathological examination, coenuri were confirmed as Coenurus gaigeri.