PATHOLOGICAL STUDIES ON LIVER AND BILE DUCT TUMORS IN SUDANESE CATTLE

Abstract

Due to their rare occurrence in bovine species, neoplasms of the liver and bile ducts were reported in few available researches. In Egypt, their prevalence in domestic animals was documented in a few records. An abattoir-based survey was conducted at Abu-Simbel slaughterhouse, Aswan Governorate, from December 2020 to October 2021. The study aimed to report the incidence rate of these tumors in imported Sudanese cattle. The percentage was 4 % and affected specimens revealed lesions ranging from single compact to multiple, nodular, metastatic masses with umbilicated appearance and necrotic centers. Diagnosis was confirmed histologically and tumorous lesions were identified as cholangioma, in which bile ducts showed marked proliferation and formed tubular structures lined with hyperplastic cuboidal cells with fibrous tissue proliferation and inflammatory cellular reaction, cholangiocarcinoma with its acinar pattern, mucin production and the fibrous stroma and mixed hepatocholangiocarcinoma that was characterized by simultaneous presence of hepatocellular and cholangiocellular carcinomas’ features. In conclusion, neoplasms are prevalent in Sudanese cattle, which could be exposed to carcinogenic chemicals or aflatoxins that cause tumor induction. Careful veterinary inspection at slaughterhouses and more studies with larger sample sizes are recommended.