A Case Report of Coenurus Cerebralis in a Goat at Dembecha District of Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Case Report

Austin Public Health. 2023; 7(1): 1020.

A Case Report of Coenurus Cerebralis in a Goat at Dembecha District of Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Abdi Ahmed Umer*; Shubisa Abera; Tsion Bilata

Animal Health Institute (AHI), Microbiology Research Laboratory, P.O. Box 04, Sebeta, Ethiopia

*Corresponding author: Abdi Ahmed Umer Animal Health Institute (AHI), Microbiology Research Laboratory, P.O. Box 04, Sebeta, Ethiopia. Email: abdivet2014@gmail.com

Received: July 25, 2023 Accepted: September 06, 2023 Published: September 13, 2023

Abstract

The Animal Health Institute received a report of an outbreak from Amhara Regional State, West Gojam zone, Dembecha district, with an unknown etiological agent on caprine death in February 2023. With the objective to conduct investigations and ascertain the reason for the caprine death, a team of experts was deputed to the affected area. Goat exhibiting seizures, lateral recumbency, and appetite loss during a clinical examination, symptoms of a central nervous system disorder including paddling, convulsions, and unconsciousness were noted. Based on clinical sign and presence of definitive hosts at the area the case has been defined for coenurosis cerebralis. For further confirmatory diagnosis postmortem inspection for the brain was undertaken. Cysts were found during necropsy in the left hemisphere’s occipital lobe. The cysts were filled with a clear fluid, and the inner layer of the cysts had several clusters of scolice growing out of it. Larval form of Taenia multiceps, known as Coenurus cerebralis, is found in the small intestines of dogs and other carnivores in the wild. Worldwide, coenurosis is endemic, and it is particularly prevalent in Ethiopia’s highlands, where there are many sheep.

Commonly occurs in the life cycle of dogs and small ruminants. The larvae of this parasite are found in the brain and spinal cord of intermediate hosts, while the adult stage of the parasite lives in the small intestine of dogs, foxes, coyotes, and jackals. The intermediate hosts become infected when the dog eats the brain containing the Coenurus cyst, which then develops into Taenia multiceps and begins to pass proglottids containing eggs on pasture. If a person accidentally consumes a parasite egg, they become infected with coenurosis.

The primary method of controlling coenurosis is the regular administration of canine anthelmintics and the proper disposal of sheep and goat brain.

Keywords: Coenurosis cerebralis; Post mortem; Goats; Dembecha, Gojam

Introduction

Coenurosis cerebral is important disease that affects sheep and goats and results in significant economic loss in their production [1]. Dogs and other wild carnivores serve as the larval hosts for Coenurus cerebralis, a species of Taenia multiceps that lives in the small intestine. Gid, also known as sturdy, is a disease that primarily affects the Central Nervous Systems (CNS) of sheep and goats and, to a lesser extent, cattle, buffalo, camels, pigs, deer, horses, yaks, and wild sheep, as well as humans [2]. In addition to being a serious health concern for sheep and goats everywhere, this disease could have important economic repercussions. The location, size, and extent of the cysts as well as the degree of brain compression all affect the symptoms [3].

When the cyst in Coenurus cerebralis grows, it causes CNS disorders that may be fatal. Coenurus cerebralis causes purulent meningoencephalitis [4]. Animals that have been infected display ataxia, blindness, circling, convulsions, teeth grinding, head tilting, lack of coordination, uncontrolled movements, salivation, paresis, and cerebral atrophy. Typically, 2–8 months after ingesting the pathogen, the majority of the clinical symptoms are seen [5]. Aside from the peritoneal and pelvic cavities, liver, intramuscular, tongue, parotid, lung, perineal fat, tunica adventitia of the aorta, and lungs, extracranial locations in goats have also been reported to harbor Coenurus cysts [6].

Radiology, ultrasonography, and computed tomography are imaging techniques that are rarely used to diagnose coenurosis instead of a clinical examination. Necropsy results are typically used to confirm the diagnosis [7].

Objective

The main goal of the investigation was to determine what caused an outbreak of caprine deaths and to gather samples and other data in the outbreak area.

Case Description

The owner of Zangar Agricultural Development was the first to report the disease's incidence, and AHI received the information by using the correct channels of communication. The team, which included different experts from Animal Health Institute (AHI) laboratories, traveled to Amhara Regional State, West Gojam, Dembecha district, and Makar lega bedessa kebele to look into the origin of the outbreaks. Interviews with animal attendants and the farm manager for the Zangar Agricultural Development were done to find out the size and timing of the outbreak.

In the last year, the outbreak has resulted in the deaths the of 20 goats, the farm owner reported. The information provided by the animal attendant showed that depression, circling to the left, altered head position, uncoordinated movement (ataxia), paralysis, inability to browse properly, and death within a week. All age groups were affected, but the young were more affected than the older generation. The team tentatively defined for coenurosis cerebralis and the confirmatory diagnosis for the disease was recommended by necropsy finding of the cyst. During a clinical examination, symptoms of a CNS disorder including paddling, convulsions, and unconsciousness were noted. Conjunctival hyperemia and keratitis were visible, and convulsion episodes were accompanied by opisthothonous, orthothonous, paddling, and oral foaming every 4-5 minutes. After the animal finally passed away from severe symptoms, a necropsy was carried out. We discussed a case of coenurosis in goats in this report, which was characterized by depression, circling to the left, altered head position, uncoordinated movement (ataxia), paralysis, inability to browse properly, and death within a week (Figure 1).