Congenital hepatic fibrosis in a sixteen-month-old Belgian Blue heifer presenting with tenesmus
Abstract
Congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF) is a rare and possibly inheritable condition described in different species. A 16-month-old Belgian Blue heifer was presented to the university clinic with tenesmus and growth retardation. The liver showed heterogenicity on ultrasound. Elevated levels of globulins, aspartate transferase, γ-glutamyl transaminase (GGT), total bilirubin, and ammonia were present, while albumin was slightly decreased. Treatment with perfusion, antibiotics and anthelmintics failed and the animal was euthanized. At necropsy, the liver showed a diffusely multinodular aspect with an abundant amount of white, dense, fibrous tissue surrounding the nodules of remaining hepatic parenchyma. Histologically, normal hepatic architecture was disrupted by portal-to-portal bridging fibrosis with lymphoplasmacytic infiltration and severe bile duct proliferation. Microscopic and macroscopic findings of the liver were consistent with CHF. This case was of particular interest because, to the authors’ knowledge, CHF has not been previously reported in a heifer of this age nor in the Belgian Blue breed.
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