Frequency of ovine pulmonary lesions in Ahvaz slaughterhouse: pathological, bacteriological and parasitological study

Pulmonary lesions of sheep are particularly important because this animal serves as one of the most acceptable source of red meat and respiratory system plays a critical role in performance of other systems. The aim of this study was to provide a regional picture of sheep lung lesions and determination of their causes as possible. For this purpose, from November 2008 to April 2009, lungs of 4592 sheep in Ahvaz slaughterhouse were examined carefully and 100 affected ones (2.18%) were found and transferred to laboratory for further investigation. Histopathological, bacteriological and parasitological studies were performed routinely on the lungs. Interstitial pneumonia, hydatid cyst, verminous pneumonia, ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma and bronchopneumonia were the most frequent lesions (relative frequency rates were about 1.31, 1.07, 0.65, 0.5 and 0.44 percent respectively). Viruses, air pollution resulting from industrial activities and intermittent dust storm in the region must be considered as possible causes of interstitial pneumonia in sheep. Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis was the most isolated bacteria from suppurative lesions. The most isolated nematodes were Cystocaulus ocreatus and Dyctiocaulus filaria that are different from reported species from other parts of the country.