A Rare Case of Non-cerebral Coenurus Cyst on the Heart of a Ewe

Abstract

During the routine postmortem inspection from carcasses and offal of slaughtered ewes in an abattoir in Isfahan (Iran), an ovine heart was discovered with a firm nodule in the myocard on palpation. In closer examination, a liquid containing cyst (1x1 cm) was recognized on left part of the heart. The cyst had thick fibrotic capsule in outer surface and a thin inner layer containing few white clusters of scolices. White clusters contained scolices that adhered to the inner transparent layer, like white beads. Based on the gross and microscopical characteristics, the cyst was diagnosed as non-cerebral coenurus cyst. This is a rare report of heart coenurosis in a sheep.