Histopathological Study of the organs of sheep infected with Paramphistomum cervi in Kashmir Valley

Pathological changes were observed grossly and confirmed histopathologically in the small intestine and rumen. Pathological lesions were mostly confined to small intestine, especially duodenum and jejunum. The infection caused by the parasite in the rumen was increased cornification of the stratum corneum, atrophy, severe infiltration and thickening of mucosa occurs in the rumen papillae, but no ulceration was found. According to the number of flukes, changes varied from a localized enteritis and villous atrophy in the duodenum in light infections to severe destructions of the mucosa extending into most of the jejunum in heavy infections. Mucosa at places was found congested with petechial haemorrhages. The number of worms and their location in the gastrointestinal tract were recorded and the population of globule leucocytes was observed. Thus it is concluded that the immature forms of Paramphistomium cervi caused more severe damage in the duodenal tissue, where as adult forms inflicted mild tissue damage in the rumen of sheep.