Ascaris suum infection in calves. 3. Pathology

Gross changes in the lungs of Ascaris suum- infected calves consisted of atelectasis and hemorrhagic foci, edema and emphysema, frequently with bullae. Prominent microscopic lung lesions were edema and emphysema of the interlobular septa with large numbers of eosinophils within and around lymphatics, peribronchiolar lymphoid nodules and parasitic granulomas. Many of the microscopic features were consistent with those found in atypical interstitial pneumonia. Changes in the alveoli were atelectasis, the exudation of plasma proteins, mononuclear cells and eosinophils, and alveolar wall thickening. Lesions found later included fibrosis and fetalization of the alveolar walls. Plasma cells and neutrophils were not common. Challenge with Toxocara canis after sensitization with A. suum resulted in the lungs developing a few areas of atelectasis. Migration of T. canis to lungs of calves is slower than A. suum. A. suum larvae were always found in bronchi, bronchioles and alveoli of calves that died. Lesions were observed in the liver but not the kidney of A. suum infected calves; both lung and liver lesions tended to resolve with time.