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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Virus and Prion Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #130772
Title: SEVERE BILIARY HYPERPLASIA ASSOCIATED WITH LIVER FLUKE INFECTION IN AN ADULT ALPACA

Author
item Hamir, Amirali
item SMITH, BRADFORD - OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Veterinary Pathology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/11/2002
Publication Date: 9/1/2002
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: An unusual case of shrunken liver and proliferation of bile ducts is described in an adult alpaca. The affected area of the liver was firm and light tan. Many small, raised, white to yellow, partially mineralized circular nodules were also present predominantly at the periphery of the affected area. Microscopic laboratory test revealed bile duct proliferation nin the affected area. The mineralized nodules contained eggs of parasites (liver flukes) and were surrounded by fibrous connective tissue. The severe bile duct proliferation was unusual and it was not clear if it was caused by an aberrant host response to infection by the parasites, or if it was an unrelated event. Publication of this report will benefit veterinary diagnosticians who may encounter similar cases in future and may be able to build a better explanation for the occurrence of severe liver disease in alpaca.

Technical Abstract: An adult alpaca (Lama pacos) with a locally extensive area of hepatic atrophy involving the right lobe is described. Grossly the atrophic lobe was light tan, firm, and contained small, raised, white to yellow, partially mineralized circular nodules predominantly at the periphery of the atrophic tissue. Microscopically, viable hepatocytes were not present in the atrophic area and the tissue consisted of diffuse biliary epithelia proliferation without any evidence of nuclear or cellular atypia or the presence of mitotic figures. The circular mineralized nodules consisted of granulomatous inflammation with intralesional parasitic ova surrounded by fibrous connective tissue. Morphologically, the ova were compatible with those of Fasciola hepatica. The severe biliary hyperplasia was unusual and it was not clear if it was caused by an aberrant host response to infection by the parasite, or if it was an unrelated event.