Hydatid Cysts in a Gazelle (Gazelle gazelle): A case report

In this study, pathological and parasitological findings of a hydatid cyst case in the liver of a gazelle were described. The study material was obtained from a gazelle, found as died a natural death while being kept in a local natural park belonging to the Palandoken Municipality, Erzurum. With regard to the macroscopic findings, the liver had a firm consistency along with dense cystic structures in soft consistency, spreading diffusely over both the visceral and parietal surfaces. The sizes of these cysts were ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 cm and full of liquid in yellowish-white colour. The germinal membrane and liquid of the cysts were examined microscopically for possible presence of the protoscolex, but no such structures were seen. Besides, the glisson s capsule being considerably thick, fibrosis, cirrhosis characterised by pseu-dolobulus formation, dense haemorrhagic foci on the parenchyma, as well as the cystic structures of the parasite were seen clearly on the liver. There were necrotic areas, many foreign body giant cells, epithelioid hystiocytes, hystiocytes, lympho-cytes and eosinophilic cell infiltration around the cystic walls. These structures surrounded by a fibrous capsule, consisting of fibrocytes and fibroblasts were forming a granulation tissue. According to the current literature search, this case of hydatid cyst in a wild gazelle is the first case report in Turkey and the second in the world.