Pathomorphological and biochemical studies of hepatic lesions in slaughtered pigs

Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate gross, histopathological and biochemical alterations associated with hepatic lesions in slaughtered pigs. A total of 200 non-descript pigs were examined at an organized abattoir in Mumbai. Blood and tissue samples were collected for biochemical and histopathological analyses. Out of 200 pigs, 111 (55.5%) showed lesions in various organs, with liver involvement in 20 cases (10%). Among these, enlargement and congestion (5.5%) were most common, followed by hydatid cysts (1.5%), milk spots (1.5%), diffuse changes (2%) and focal microscopic alterations (12.5%). Histopathology revealed hepatocellular degeneration, necrosis, fibrosis and inflammatory infiltration. Serum ALT and ALP levels were significantly elevated, while albumin levels were reduced. The findings indicate that hepatic lesions are common and correlate well with biochemical alterations. The predominance of focal lesions suggests that many hepatic affections remain subclinical.