Hepatic coccidiosis associated with hepatic necrosis in a goat.

Hepatic coccidiosis, usually caused by a member of the genus Eimeria, is common in rabbits but rare in other mammals. We describe the first reported case of naturally occurring hepatic coccidiosis in a goat. An approximately 6-month-old crossbred goat was presented with a history of diarrhea for 1 week and death. The liver had grossly visible, coalescing foci of necrosis measuring up to 6 cm in greatest dimension. Microscopically, areas of coagulative necrosis also had ectatic and hyperplastic bile ducts that contained coccidial meronts, macrogamonts, and microgamonts within the cytoplasm of epithelial cells. Bile duct lumina contained scattered oocysts. Fibrosis and aggregates of lymphocytes surrounded affected ducts. Microscopic and ultrastructural characteristics of coccidian stages were compatible with the genus Eimeria, but the species could not be determined. The small intestine also had coccidiosis; however, it was unclear whether or not the same coccidian species affected both the liver and the intestine.