Prevalencia y hallazgos histopatológicos en pulmones en bovinos faenados en el cantón Loja

Abstract

Abstract: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and characterize the histopathological features of pneumonia in lungs from bovines slaughtered in Loja canton, Ecuador. The investigation was carried out at the Loja municipal abattoir (CAFRILOSA). A total of 386 bovine lungs were assessed through systematic random sampling; histopathological evaluation was performed on lungs presenting gross lesions consistent with pneumonia. Overall, 6.73% (n = 26/386) of the examined lungs showed evidence of pneumonia. The predominant diagnoses were chronic bronchopneumonia and chronic interstitial pneumonia. Lesion patterns were consistent with bacterial involvement, and Pasteurella multocida was the most frequently identified agent, commonly associated with a fibrinosuppurative bronchopneumonia profile. Collectively, these findings support the continued relevance of the bovine respiratory disease complex as a persistent sanitary constraint with implications for carcass yield and meat quality. This study provides local evidence to inform surveillance and guide targeted control strategies for respiratory diseases in the regional livestock production system.