Post-Mortem Survey of Hepatic Lesions in Pigs at Onitsha Slaughterhouse, Anambra State, South East Nigeria

Hepatic diseases in pigs contribute significantly to organ condemnation and economic losses at slaughterhouses across the South East geopolitical zone of Nigeria, where pork consumption is culturally prevalent. This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence and pathological characteristics of hepatic lesions in pigs slaughtered at Onitsha Main Slaughterhouse, Anambra State, from April to September 2023. A total of 220 pig livers were examined grossly, and those with macroscopic abnormalities were sampled for histopathological processing using haematoxylin and eosin, and Masson trichrome stains for collagen assessment. Hepatic lesions were observed in 38.6 percent of examined livers. The most frequent findings were multifocal hepatic abscesses (24.7%), hepatic cysticercosis (20.8%), portal fibrosis (16.9%), and hepatic necrosis (14.3%). Histopathologically, abscess specimens revealed central liquefactive necrosis surrounded by a pyogenic membrane with peripheral fibrosis. Portal fibrosis was characterised by periportal collagen deposition with extension into lobular sinusoids. Cysticercotic lesions showed encysted larvae embedded within fibrous connective tissue. These findings highlight the public health dimension of liver pathology in slaughter pigs, particularly regarding tapeworm transmission to human consumers. The study recommends strengthening of meat hygiene inspection services, farmer education on anthelmintic use, and community deworming programmes in Anambra State. Keywords: pigs, hepatic pathology, cysticercosis, abscesses, Onitsha