Observations on the pathology of Eperythrozoon ovis infection in sheep

Authors: Sutton RH
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 26, Issue 9, pp 224, 229-230, Sep 1978
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant, Sheep
Subject Terms: Parasites - blood borne, Disease/defect, Circulatory system/haematology, Rickettsia, Infectious disease, Growth/development, Pathology, Protozoa
Article class: Scientific Article

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Abstract: The main pathological features of experimental Eperythrozoon ovis infection were an increase of spleen weight by up to 250% at the peak of parasitaemia and an increase in liver weight by 36%. Haemosiderin was present in tbe kidneys, livers and spleens of all infected sheep at the peak and late stages of parasitaemia. Control sheep had haemosiderin in the spleen only. On the basis of these findings, intravascular haemolysis appears to be the predominant mode of red cell removal. Although not observed histologically, some erythrophagocytosis by the spleen and liver probably occurs in the course of the infection.

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