Ascariasis
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This article is still under construction. |
The term Ascariasis refers to disease caused by nematode worms of the genus Ascaris. This disease can occur in a number of different species as described below.
In Pigs
Ascaris suum is the primary cause of ascariasis in pigs.
- 'milk spot' liver
- pigs
- common incidental finding at post mortem examination
- affected livers are condemned at meat inspection
Gross
- initial haemorrhagic tracts through the liver attributed to the migration of ascarid larvae
- later stages show fibrosis of these tracts as poorly defined, diffuse, white spots on the capsular surface
Microscopically
- initial haemorrhage and necrosis of parenchyma along the tracts
- later repair by fibrous tissue at foci
- inflammatory cell response contains many eosinophils, as well as lymphocytes and macrophages