Pathological changes in cattle naturally infected by Calicophoron daubneyi adult flukes

- Calicophoron daubneyi induces an inflammatory response in forestomachs in naturally infected cattle.
- Microscopical changes caused by adult flukes of C. daubneyi are closely associated with the parasite burden in rumen and reticulum.
- Histochemical characterization of the inflammatory response to C. daubneyi show that globule leukocytes could not be derived from mast cells.

Local host response and parasite distribution were studied in the forestomachs, abomasum, duodenum and regional lymph nodes of cattle suffering from bovine paramphistomosis. The parasites were found attached, by its ventral sucker, to small conical papillae of the rumen and reticulum. Affected papillae, showed morphological changes denoted by very narrow stalks and expanded heads. Histologically, these changes were characterized by epithelial acanthosis-hyperkeratosis of the epithelium. Infiltration of inflammatory cells was often related with the epithelial changes, although it was also found in the duodenal mucosa and submucosa. These cells were arranged as aggregates or follicles but sparse infiltration of eosinophils, globule leukocytes, mast cells or macrophages was also observed in the lamina propria. Tissue damage and inflammatory reaction were more severe in the ruminal atrium, where the largest number of flukes and affected papillae were observed. In contrast, lesions in the ruminal dorsal sac were absent or mild. Statistical correlation between lesion severity and parasite burden was confirmed.