First report of epidemic prevalence of cerebral coenurosis in ten sheep herds in Iran

Summary Coenurosis is a neurological parasitic infection of sheep caused by the larval stage of Taenia multiceps. In spring ۲۰۲۰, several animals were referred from different flocks (۱۰ sheep herds) to the Clinic of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Iran with a history of acute neurological dysfunctions associated with increased mortality. Affected animals were ۵-۸ months years-old from the mixed breed and both sex. Physical and ophthalmoscopic examinations were performed. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were obtained from the lumbosacral region and were examined grossly and microscopically. The CSF examination showed a mixed population of mononuclear cells with a predominance of small lymphocytes and reduced number of monocytes. Neutrophils were also occasionally observed. Dissection of the brain revealed ventricular deformity Coenurus cerebralis with white protoscolices causing the obstruction of the ducts and thus resulting in internal hydrocephalus and lateral ventricles enlargement. This study, as the first report of the epidemic incidence of cerebral coenurosis in sheep from Urmia, Iran, implies a failure of prevention and control measures against a parasitic disease. Thus, regular chemical-prophylactic protocols of dogs and correct disposal of the infected brain upon slaughtering or death of animals to prevent scavenging by dogs can control it.