ECHINOCOCCOSIS IN BOVINES
By M. MAQSOOD, Punjab Veterinary College, Lahore
(Received for publication on 15 September 1945)
(With Plate V)
E CHINOCOCCUS cysts (E. polymorphus and E. multilocularis), the so-called hydatids
representing the asexual stage of Echinococcus granulosus [Batsch, 1786], a cestode
inhabiting principally the small intestine of the dog, occurs frequently in the liver,
lungs, spleen and rarely in other organs of herbivora, man, etc., but most often in
ruminants and the pig. According to Neumann [1905], Ostertag [1907] and Cameron
[1934], the cysts are met with in various organs, the liver being the most favourite seat,
then lungs, spleen and after them kidneys, heart muscle, intestinal wall, serous membranes,
bone marrow, lymph glands, thyroid, uterus, udder and very rarely in the brain, skeleton
muscle and eyes. Hemann [1934] recorded echinococcus cysts in almost every organ
including most of the lymph glands of a cow which was diagnosed as a case of tuberculosis
during life. Monnig [1941] in South Africa, states that in cattle harbouring hydatids
only 10 per cent of the cysts are fertile, the rest being sterile (without brood capsules and
scolices). In most countries, it has been found that as many as 75 per cent of cattle are
infested with hydatids [Cameron, 1934: Monnig, 1941].
INCIDENCE OF BOVINE ECHINCOCCOSIS IN INDIA
In India the available literature shows that 70 to 80 per cent or even higher [Pease,
1902 ; Enwards, 1927] of bovines harbour hydatids of Taenia echinococcus usually without
exhibiting clinical symptoms, and that the cysts are frequently seen in the liver, lungs,
spleen and rarely in other organs [Gaiger, 1915 ; Bhalerao, 1935]. Ganguley [1923] in
Bengal, Rahimuddin [1943] in Madras and Maqsood [1944] at Lahore have recorded
echinococcus cysts in the heart muscle of a cow, a bullock and a buffalo-cow respectively.
Ayyar [1941] recorded multiple hydatids in the lungs, liver, spleen and two on the trachea
of a cow that died suddenly.
With a view to ascertaining the percentage of infestation in bovines, post-mortem
examination were performed on 34 cattle and 57 buffaloes dying of various diseases, at
the Punjab Veterinary College Hospital, Lahore, from 15 October 1942 to 15 March,
1945, while carcases of 28 cattle and 283 buffaloes were examined at the Lahore
Corporation Beef Slaughter House during the years 1943-44. It was observed that 66.1
per cent of cattle and 68.8 per cent of buffaloes harboured hydatids (Table I). Cysts
varying in size from that of a pea to a medium-sized football, were seen in animals of all
ages and were often numerous in older animals. This high percentage of infestation in
bovines is associated with the large number of stray dogs in Lahore, 24 per cent of which
are infested with granulosus [Pease, 1902]. Existing conditions are such that stray dogs
have easy access to slaughter houses, meat shops, etc., and are fed by butchers on con-
demned organs containing hydatids, etc. with the result that in due time the scolices of
the fertile cysts develop into adult worms in their intestines. Consequently, this cycle
of infestation goes on in the intermediate hosts and the dog. The importance of hydatids
in domestic animals is mainly due to the condemnation of edible organs, but when in
large numbers, they interfere with the functions of various organs as well and at times
may cause death (vide infra)
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