Eurytrema sp. as a cause of chronic interstitial pancreatitis in cattle in southeastern Brazil

Abstract

We report here 6 cases of bovine eurytrematosis on 2 farms (dairy and beef cattle) in southeastern Brazil. The cattle had different primary lesions that explained their clinical conditions; however, upon autopsy, common to all animals were abnormalities in the pancreas and the presence of Eurytrema spp. All parasitized pancreases were swollen, firm, and tan to yellow-pink. Upon dissection, numerous parasites were observed, the pancreatic ducts were thickened and dilated, and the parenchyma was fibrotic. Histopathologic findings were multifocal-to-diffuse chronic interstitial pancreatitis. Despite clinical signs, such as low body condition score, compatible with eurytrematosis, it was challenging to determine whether these signs were caused primarily by the pancreatic lesion or by the primary disease affecting the cows. Bovine eurytrematosis may be associated with other underlying conditions, making its diagnosis difficult and potentially impacting the prognosis of the affected animals. Our findings underscore the harmful nature of Eurytrema coelomaticum as a parasite and emphasize that it may be more than an incidental finding at autopsy.