Figure 1: Blepheritis and congestion of conjunctiva membrane
Figure 2: Ultrasonography of the affected eye
Figure 3: Cyst was surgically removed by a stab incision
Figure 4: Proscolices in clusters attached to the internal surface
Figure 5: Microscopic view of single proscolex revealed the typical taenid hooks
Figure 6: Animal resumed normal posture and vision

Coenurosis is an important disease affecting sheep and goat. In addition to its zoonotic impact, high economic losses in sheep and goat farms are also a noticeable effect of coenurosis. Coenurus cerebralis is a principal cause for nervous manifestations due to manifestation in the Central nervous system [1]. Further, in non-cerebral coenurosis, the larval form of the Taenia multiceps gaigeri which is a cestode of wild and domestic canids have also been reported [2]. C. gaigeri is commonly reported in the shoulder, thigh, kidney, neck muscle, heart, diaphragm, uterus, rectum and urinary bladder [3], retro-bulbar eye [4], lower eyelid [5], peri-orbital of domestic goats [6]. Ultrasonographical diagnosis along with surgical management of coenurosis has been described by [7]. Unusual palpebral conjunctival coenurus cyst’s surgical management in a kid is reported here.

A seven months old surti male kid was presented at the veterinary clinical complex, deesa, SDAU with the history of unilateral bulging of right upper eyelid since one month, Blepheritis and congestion of conjunctiva membrane was noticed (Figure 1).

Figure 1

Clinical examination of the kid revealed normal physiological body parameter viz., rectal temperature (101.5F), heart rate (86 per minute) and respiratory rate (33per minute) and conjunctival mucus membrane was pink. The protrusion of swelling was from perorbitum (below upper eyelid) over cornea of right eye ball. Palpation revealed a soft, fluctuating, non-painful cyst. This swelling was hindrance in vision due to the protrusion but the vision was not imparted. On needle paracentesis a clear fluid was observed.

Ultrasonographic examination was performed after restraining of kid, using a 6–8 MHz convex transducer. Ultrasonography of the affected eye confirmed the presence of a circumscribed anechoic area due to watery consistency in the retro bulbar muscle (Figure 2).

Figure 2

Clinical examination, ultrasonographic examination and needle paracentesis confirmed the cyst.

The cyst was surgically removed by a stab incision under local infiltration of 2% lignocaine hydrochloride on mid part of swelling (Figure 3). The cyst was successfully removed intact along with its membrane. Colour less transparent fluid was drained out after removal of cyst. The cavity was flushed with normal saline. Macroscopic investigation revealed proscolices in clusters attached to the internal surface of its wall (Figure 4).

Post-surgical management carried out by Drop. Gentamicin 0.3% TID, for five days, Inj. Meloxicam @ 0.2mg/kg, IM for five days, Tab. Fentas 150mg, orally and it repeated after 21 days.

Figure 3

Figure 4

The animal resumed normal posture and vision (Figure 6).The cyst measured 2.3 cm × 2.8 cm and contained large amount of fluid with numerous invigilated proscolices (Figure 4). Microscopic view of single proscolex revealed the typical taenid hooks that characteristically conforms coenurus (Figure 5) located extra cranial found in the intermediate stage of T. multiceps gaigeri [8].

On the basis of clinical signs, physical examination, ultrasonographical imaging, needle paracentesis and parasitic examination the retro-bulbar cyst which was confirmative diagnosed a Coenurus gaigeri.

Coenurosis is an important disease affecting sheep and goat which causes significant economic losses in their production. The metacestode stage of Taenia multiceps is associated with coenurosis. The cerebral form of coenurosis, also known as Gid or sturdy. The cystic larvae develop in the brain and spinal cord of the parasitized host and there by affect the normal functioning of the central nervous system [2,9]. Contrary to above, occasionally aberrant sites of prediction of the metacestode, especially in goats, with an alternate name (C. gaigeri), have been documented [8,10,11].

In a majority of coenurie affected goats, the cysts anchor, develop, mature and cause asymptomatic focal lesions in extra cranial aberrant sites. The lesions often persist throughout the life span of the host [2]. Coenurus gaigeri is the larval stage of Taenia multicepsgaigeri, which belongs to the class Cestoda, order Cyclophyllidae, family Taenidae and genus Multiceps [12]. Such animals are potentially important source of the disease in growing animals and/or of zoonotic significance. Goats, being intermediate host usually get the infection from the dog’s excreta therefore the treatment of dogs in and around the farms for tapeworm should be made [13]. Entry of street dogs to goat peddocks should be prevented for control of this ailment. Adult goats are slaughtered for human consumption. Humans are dead-end intermediate hosts and become infected by ingesting eggs passed in the excrement of a definitive host. The ingested eggs release oncospheres in the host intestine that penetrate the intestinal wall and migrate toward target organs through the blood stream, usually lodging in the brain, spinal canal, or eye [14]. The dogs in and around the animal farms should be treated with anthelmintics to prevent the spread of infection to the farm animals. Prophylactic antihelminthic therapy can be given to the small ruminants but the economic feasibility must also be considered. Albendazole or combinations of anthelmintics (Fenbendazoleand Praziquantel) were useful in coenurosis [15-18].

The authors are thankful to The Dean, College of veterinary science and animal husbandary, SDAU, Gujarat, India for providing all facilities to carry out the investigation.

Figure 5

Figure 6

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