A Survey on Prevalence and Pathological Findings of Gallstones in Lori-Bakhtiari Sheep in Iran

Abstract

In a survey of 430 Lori-Bakhtiari sheep at a slaughterhouse in Iran, gallstones were found in the gallbladder of 7 sheep (1.6%). Biliary calculi were more frequent in adult and female sheep (P < 0.05). Chemical analysis of the gallstones revealed 6 sheep with pigment (bilirubin) stones and 1 sheep with cholesterol stones. Chemical composition of bile in these sheep was evaluated. Bacteriologic analysis of the bile in the affected sheep revealed bacteria (Streptococcus spp., Klebsiella spp., Escherichia coli, and Salmonella spp.) in 5 sheep. Microscopic examination of gallbladders revealed focal calcification, cystic glands, necrosis and atrophy of mucosal layer, edema, diffuse and focal infiltration of lymphocytes in submucosal layer, and hypertrophy of smooth muscles in sheep with gallstones. It was concluded that the prevalence of both types of gallstones in Lori-Bakhtiari sheep is low. Cholelithiasis can cause chronic inflammation of the gallbladder, but it is not likely to become clinically significant.

Cholelithiasis in a goat associated with chronic fascioliosis in Bangladesh: A case report and review of literatures

“…In general, gallstones or cholelithiasis in goats is a rare event. In a study in Iran, only 1.2% goats (5 out of 411 goats) were found to be suffered from cholelithiasis; however, none of the cases were associated with fascioliosis, rather the cases of cholelithiasis were thought to be linked with bacterial infections (Raoofi et al, 2012).…”

“…In general, gallstones or cholelithiasis in goats is a rare event. In a study in Iran, only 1.2% goats (5 out of 411 goats) were found to be suffered from cholelithiasis; however, none of the cases were associated with fascioliosis, rather the cases of cholelithiasis were thought to be linked with bacterial infections (Raoofi et al., 2012 ). Another study reported periductal concentric fibrosis and cast‐like biliary microliths in three goats, which were speculated to be due to dietary origin (Collett & Spickett, 1989 ).…”

Ingesta-associated choledocholithiasis in horses: 2 cases and literature review

“…Formation of biliary tract stones (cholelithiasis), including gallbladder stones (choleliths) and common bile duct stones (choledocholiths), are relatively uncommon phenomena in animals. 16,17,20,29 Specifically, horses, which lack a gallbladder, are reported to develop choledocholiths with an estimated prevalence of 0.08%. 21 Equine choledocholithiasis can be clinically silent and only detected at autopsy; alternatively, choledocholiths can lead to cholangitis, extrahepatic biliary obstruction, hepatic fibrosis, and cholangiohepatitis, ultimately resulting in significant hepatobiliary injury and clinical signs and biochemical indices of hepatobiliary dysfunction.…”