A study was carried out to determine the histopathology of the liver in cattle slaughtered in Port Harcourt Abattoir, River State, Nigeria, between October to December 2016, and to assess the prevalence of fascioliasis. In undertaking this, faeces were collected and processed using the formal ether concentration technique, while tissue samples for both infected and non-infected livers were collected for proper histopathological procedures. Herein, the livers of slaughtered cattle were examined through visualization, palpation and incision. The outcome of our work showed that out of the 712 randomly sampled cattle, 38 (5.34%) were infected. Of these, 571 were males with an infection rate of 32 (5.60%), while 141 were females with infection rate of 6 (4.25%). Based on breed, infection rates were 12 (4.35%), and 26 (6.02%) for breeds of Sokoto Gudali and Red Bororo, respectively. No infection was recorded in the White Fulani breed. There was no statistically significant association between infection and breed and between infection and sex of the animals sampled. In our histopathology studies of non-infected and infected livers, microscopically, the noninfected liver tissue cells, sinusoids, bile duct and portal tract were all normal. Our results also showed that there were no abnormal changes in the nucleus and the colour of the tissue. However, infected liver tissue appeared pale in colour and greatly swollen, indicating fibrosis. In addition, there was dilation in the central vein and debris and large patches scattered over the parietal surface. Moreover, the pipe stem appearance of the liver was evident. Such histopathological changes indicate tissue damage and this results in economic losses in rearing and in butchering in animals, and in harm to human health. Proper abattoir inspection and care by veterinary workers is therefore required to ensure that heavily damaged livers are not sold for public consumption.
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