THE ASSESSMENT OF FASCIOLA GIGANTICA INFECTION IN THE RABBIT (ORYCTOLAGUS CUNICULUS) AS A LABORATORY MODEL PARASITE DEVELOPMENT - CLINICAL SYMPTOMS AND LIVER PATHOLOGY ADEDOKUN, O. A and FAGBEMI, B. 0. Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria

In this study, the rabbit was assessed as a laboratory host for the helminthes parasite, Fasciola gigantica. Three groups of rabbits were Infected experimentally with 5, 10 end 15 metacercariae of F. gigantica respectively. Clinical signs found included pale mucous membrane, progressive emaciation and rough hair coat. The post mortem findings Included haemorrhage and scattered calcified nodules on the omentum. Echymosis. fibrosis and necrosis were prominent on (he Ever in addition to fibrosis and thickening of the gall bladder and bife ducts. Histopathology of the Ever revealed congestion. haemorrhage, ceffular Infiltration end necrosis, BE. ducts were hyper plastic and fibrotic with sever Inflammatory reactions. The ova of gigantica were recovered from the faeces of some infected rabbits at 10 weeks post infection. Mean number of flukes recovered from the rabbits was 0 in the 5 metacercariae group, 2 in the 10 metacercariae group and 5 in the group given 15 metacercariae.