Therapeutic management of nasal schistosomiasis in cattle: A case report

Abstract

Nasal schistosomiasis is a snail borne trematode infection in cattle and buffalo caused by Schistosoma nasale. 21 nos. of cattle in a village in Lakhimpur district of Assam were found snoring in villages near river Subansiri which are flood affected and low-lying areas. In some other locations of Lakhimpur district 16 nos. of buffaloes were found exhibiting same symptoms, 3 of them were died later without treatment. The microscopic examination of nasal washings/scrapings after processing in 10% potassium hydroxide revealed boomerang shaped/palanquin shaped egg with terminal spine and fully developed miracidium inside which is the characteristics of Schistosoma nasale egg. Inj Anthiomaline (Lithium Antimony Thiomalate) was used @ 15 mL intramuscularly and was repeated at weekly intervals for the treatment of nasal schistosomiasis. There reduction in size of the granuloma was observed after the first dose itself. There was complete recovery after the second injection was administered.