Study on Pathological and Hematobiochemical Profile of Liver Abscesses in Cattle Slaughtered at Gondar Elfora Abattoir, Ethiopia

Abstract The liver's essential functions and anatomical position make it particularly susceptible to diseases such as abscesses. Despite limited research in this area, analyzing the pathological and hematobiochemical profiles of liver abscesses in cattle can provide valuable insights. An abattoir-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January to September 2024, aiming to investigate the pathological and hematobiochemical profiles of liver abscesses in slaughtered cattle at the Gondar Elfora Abattoir in Ethiopia. A total of sixty cattle were purposefully selected from the abattoir. For each animal, ten ml of blood was collected using a disposable syringe five ml for hematology and five ml for biochemical analysis. Additionally, liver samples were collected, comprising thirty from cattle affected by liver abscesses and thirty from healthy controls. Gross pathological examination of the livers from infected cattle revealed a friable surface with reddish discoloration, pale hyperemic zones, bile duct hypertrophy, and multiple abscesses scattered throughout the hepatic parenchyma. These abscesses were grayish-white, filled with pus, and contained purulent yellowish-green, white, and mucous materials. Histopathological analysis showed congested blood vessels, necrosis, and fibrosis of hepatic tissue, along with infiltration of neutrophils and leukocytes around the abscess capsules, which were documented with photographs. The hematological profile indicated a significant increase (P ≤ 0.05) in the mean total white blood cell count (14.559 ± 0.32), lymphocyte count (3.236 ± 0.303), and neutrophil count (7.687 ± 2.689) in infected cattle compared to healthy ones. Furthermore, biochemical analysis revealed significant increases (P ≤ 0.05) in the mean values of aspartate aminotransferase (237.75 ± 8.83), alkaline phosphatase (189.1 ± 4.766), alanine aminotransferase (64.3 ± 3.161), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (62.2 ± 2.326) in cattle with liver abscesses compared to those without. This study underscores the significant impact of liver abscesses on liver pathology and hematobiochemical profiles in infected cattle. Therefore, integrating these tests into diagnostic protocols is crucial for accurately diagnosing liver abscesses. Future research should incorporate bacteriological tests and advanced immunohistochemistry to better identify the underlying causes of abscess formation.