First report of Taenia pisiformis Cysticercus infestation in Domestic rabbits in Hajjah city Yemen

Cysticercus pisiformis is larval forms of Taenia pisiformis tapeworm. t has been observed in rabbits that are considered the intermediate host. In this study Cysticercus pisiformis was observed in domestic rabbits at routine necropsy examination. Cysticercus pisiformis was observed in 23 (76.7) out of 30 (23.3%) of domestic rabbits of both sexes was 2 months – 2 years old. the Parasites were observed only in July2018 and February 2020. After noticing the changes in the shape of the liver, which appeared in white to cream cysts were ranging from 3– 8 mm in diameter and varying in sizes, The aim of this study was to identify, which is the causative of these changes in the liver and the nature of cysts developing around the stomach and what organisms belong to them, as well as the preparation of tissue sections of the liver to study histopathological changes. Our results revealed, several cysts were found around the stomach and viscera. morphological form of these cysts depicted the presence of Cysticercus pisiformis of Taenia pisiformis and the larval stage was also seen moving near the diaphragm. Gross and histopathological examination revealed that liver was the most severely affected organ. Varying degrees of focal necrosis, hepatocellular degeneration, infl ammation associated with viable and degenerated cysts were observed in the liver. Degenerated cysts revealed varying degrees of dystrophic calcifi cation. Our results revealed, (23) were infected (76.6%) of Cysticercus pisiformis of adult parasite Taenia pisiformis it is the fi rst report in Hajjah / Yemen. Case Study First report of Taenia pisiformis Cysticercus infestation in Domestic rabbits in Hajjah city Yemen Nabil M Mogalli* Department of Biology, Hajjah University, Yemen Received: 02 November, 2020 Accepted: 30 November, 2020 Published: 01 December, 2020 *Corresponding author: Nabil M Mogalli, Department of Biology, Hajjah University, Yemen, Tel: 00967772423369; E-mail: ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1845-986X


Introduction
Rabbits are mammals, found in in many regions of the world. Rabbits are infected with a range of parasites varying from ectoparasites, protozoans, and helminths.
Parasites infesting Rabbits lead to large losses in rabbits, and those losses are related to the number of parasites responsible for the disease [1].
Helminth infection causes greater bifurcation with a signifi cant effect on this animal, when present in a suffi cient number, it can cause a signifi cant decrease in weight gain, loss of appetite, diarrhea, weakness, low productivity, morbidity, and even deaths.
Protozoans infection such as Eimeria, are associated with morbidity and mortality this lead to economic losses in rabbit farming, growth retardation and condemnation of affected livers in cases of hepatic coccidiosis [2].
Cysticercus pisiformis. Which consider as Parasite on rabbit farms and it is pathogenic parasite among parasites Taenia pisiformis (Cestoidea; Cyclophyllidea; Taeniidae. Commonly called rabbit tapeworm, can be found all over the world [3,4] and it is a tapeworm parasitizes internally and causes infection and matures in the small intestine of canids and felines [5,6]. The infection is transmitted to the Rabbits (intermediate hosts) by eating the herb contaminated with the stool of the fi nal hosts where pass the egg-laden proglottid phase in their feces. Once ingested, the egg hatches and the hexacanth embryo enters the wall of the intestine and migrates to its organ of choice via the portal veins then grows and differentiateson cavitates to form the second larval stage which consists of a fl uid-fi lled bladder with a scolex called a cysticercus or as Cysticercus pisiformis (Schoeb, et al. 2007).This second larval stage is also often called bladderworm and forms (2-4) weeks following ingestion [7]. severe health problems in rabbits, such as digestive disorders, and secondary bacterial infestation, liver lesions, resulting in economic losses in the rabbit breeding industry [8]. Cysticercus pisiformis is swallowed by the defi nitive host when it feeds on the infected organs of rabbits with C. pisiformis [9].
Parasitism is of great concern to the production, reproduction and performance of man and animals (Shola D, et al. 2018) infection with T. pisiformis altered behavioral and productive parameters, and obesity magnifi es the impact caused by the infection. Also, obesity leads to major susceptibility to infection with T. pisiformis [10]. Infected with T. pisiformis metacestodes are more frequently in female rabbits than males [11].
This study appears to be the fi rst to be conducted in the northwestern part of Yemen. As these parasites have not been documented before in northwestern Yemen. Proper management of the prevention, control and elimination of these diseases will improve rabbit production and reproduction to achieve better profi tability for farmers and increase the availability of protein sources for consumers.
The aim of this study was to determine the cause of the altered changes in the liver and the nature of the cysts that develop around the stomach and what organisms they belong to, as well as preparing sections of liver tissue to study tissue changes.

Materials and methods
In July2018 and February 2020, when we were working on anatomy of rabbits, we found calcifi cations in the liver and cysts around the stomach and moving larvae. in most rabbits that were studied. and after research and investigation we know it is Cysticercus pisiformis.
Cysticercosis was studied in Domestic rabbits. Gross lesions were noted. Tissue pieces from liver were collected and fi xed in 10% formalin, embedded in paraffi n wax, and fi vemicron sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) for histological examination. Histological sections of tissues with the most interesting fi ndings were photographed. Photomicrograph was done using cell phone and OLYMPUS microscope CX31.

Clinical history
The rabbits suffered from xanthoderma prolonged illness with depression, weakness and palour of mucous membranes.

Necropsy fi ndings
On necropsy, 23 rabbits revealed cystic disease. the external mucous membranes were pale. Several oval cysts (varying sizes from 6 mm to 1 cm) were found either attached to the omentum to form of clusters, between the diaphragm and the viscera and visceral surfaces of liver or fl oating free in the peritoneal cavity. Each cyst contained clear fl uid and a single white spot. Cysts were identifi ed as the Taenia pisiformis cyst Figure 1.

Microscopic fi ndings
The liver revealed varying degrees of hepatitis, hepatic cellular degeneration, and necrosis. Degenerative changes ranged from cellular / cloudy swelling to eosinophilia with cytoplasmic granulation and spatial changes. Subsequently, the nucleus of the hepatocytes was compressed toward the periphery, and the cytoplasm is represented by one peripheral margin.
Multifocal areas of focal hepatic necrosis were observed with aggregation of lymphocytic and infi ltration also, a few macrophages and giant cell Figure 5.
Most of the spaces were empty and has hepatocellular degradation and fatty changes have also been observed, steatosis and fatty degeneration Figure 6.
Hyperplasia was also detection in the biliary duct of the liver Figure 7.

Discussion
In most rabbits that were studied in July 2018 and severe, as mentioned by [12].
The metacestode of T. pisiformis has been considered one of the most important true migratory parasites in rabbits with an infection rate of 2.2 to 51.3% in commercial / domestic rabbits [13,14]. and female rabbits are more frequently infected with T.
Histopathological study, it was revealed that there was tissue damage in the liver. After a microscopic examination, it was found that there was showed numerous discrete to coalescing granulomas containing substantial intact and degenerate parasites This was similar to Graham-Brown J, et al. [18] observations [18]. Also there was cellular and fatty degradation and infi ltration which is in confi rm with Singla's, et al. [19] Al-Najjar, et al. [20] and Aman D Moudgil, et al. 2016 [21] observation. Their histopathological study of the affected liver showed the presence of fatty changes and infi ltration of mononuclear cells in the affected zones [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28].

Conclusion
In the present study, the presence of cysticercus pisiformis in 30 Domestic rabbits was investigated. It was observed that the infected rabbits were 23 rabbits. It was determined by noticing the presence of cysts, larvae, or even pathological changes in liver tissue Cysticerci were found to be present in varying numbers hanging to the viscera or around of the stomach also the larvae have been observed moving in the abdominal cavity and some have penetrated the gastric membrane of the stomach. histopathological study showed several separate granulomas that contain large, intact and degraded amounts.
This study is the fi rst report on Taenia pisiformis parasites in Yemen. In the upcoming studies, it is necessary to investigate and survey the pathogenic parasites that infective rabbits.
Surveys must be done to identify the types of animals that act as defi nitive host for Taenia pisiformis.