PRELIMINARY PATHOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS OF SHEEP WITH CHRONIC NONPROGRESSIVE PNEUMONIA

The occurrence of atypical pneumonia in sheep in Morocco is reported w ith diagnosis based on gross and histopathological findings. Pathologi c changes were encountered in lungs from 303 mixed breed sheep of both sexes, ranging from 3 to 24 months of age. Gross lesions were charact erized by brownish-red or purple consolidated areas in anterior portio ns of the lung. Histological changes included bronchitis with bronchia l epithelium hyperplasia, peribronchial lymphoid accumulation or hyper plasia, interstitial pneumonia, epithelialization of alveoli, and pres ence of corpora amylacea within bronchi or alveoli. Adhesions and dull areas indicating pleuritis were infrequently seen. Verminous pneumoni as due to Muellerius capillaris and Protostrongylus rufescens lungworm s were variably associated with this condition.