PATHOLOGY ASSOCIATED WITH BOVINE LUNGS AT THE AMOSUN CENTRAL ABATTOIR, AKINYELE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, IBADAN

This study investigated the pathological conditions affecting the lungs of cattle slaughtered at the Central Abattoir, Amosun, Akinyele Local Government Area, Ibadan, Oyo State, with particular emphasis on Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) and Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP). The research aimed to identify and characterize the major pulmonary lesions, determine their prevalence, and assess their implications for animal productivity, public health, and meat safety. The study combined both retrospective abattoir record analysis and field-based pathological examination of lungs collected during meat inspection. Gross lesions were carefully examined and recorded, while representative samples were processed for histopathological examination using standard procedures. Lesion characteristics, distribution, and frequency were analyzed descriptively and compared with existing literature to interpret the findings. The literature review highlighted that TB, caused by Mycobacterium bovis, is a chronic zoonotic disease transmitted through aerosols and unpasteurized milk, posing significant risk to abattoir workers and consumers. CBPP, caused by Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides, is an infectious respiratory disease of cattle characterized by fibrinous pneumonia and pleuritis, leading to severe economic losses due to reduced productivity, trade restrictions, and mortality. Previous abattoir-based studies across Nigeria and West Africa have shown that both diseases remain endemic, with varying prevalence due to inadequate surveillance, poor hygiene, and limited vaccination coverage. The results of this study revealed that pulmonary lesions were among the most frequently observed organ pathologies in slaughtered cattle. Gross examination identified classical lesions such as marbling, fibrinous pleuritis, necrotic sequestra, and thickened pleura in CBPP, while tuberculosis lungs exhibited caseous nodules, granulomatous lesions, and calcified foci. Histopathological findings confirmed fibrinous bronchopneumonia consistent with CBPP and granulomatous inflammation with epithelioid macrophages and Langhans giant cells typical of TB. The occurrence of these lesions suggests continuous transmission of both diseases among cattle brought for slaughter, particularly from nomadic herds and extensive production systems. The discussion compared the present findings with earlier studies from Nigeria, Ghana, and Ethiopia, showing that the persistence of CBPP and TB reflects inadequate disease control programs, poor abattoir hygiene, and unrestricted movement of infected cattle. The coexistence of both diseases within the same population poses dual threats: economic loss due to carcass condemnation and public health risk through zoonotic TB. The conclusion emphasized that both TB and CBPP are major causes of lung lesions at the Central Abattoir, Amosun, and continue to undermine livestock productivity and food safety in Nigeria. This study highlights the urgent need for strengthened surveillance, improved vaccination programs, routine diagnostic testing, and strict abattoir inspection to reduce the prevalence of these diseases. Overall, this study provides valuable insight into the epidemiology, pathology, and public health significance of bovine pulmonary diseases in Nigeria. The findings underscore the need for coordinated One Health surveillance and policy interventions to safeguard animal productivity and human health.