The potential of immunohistochemistry in diagnosis of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia in apparently healthy animals
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Date
2013
Authors
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
Diagnosis of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) in asymptomatic animals
is a big challenge towards control of the disease. This is because most, if not all, of
the available diagnostic methods are incapable of detecting the disease in such
animals. In this study, an immunohistochemistry protocol was developed and
employed to detect Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides Small Colony
(M/wwSC) type, the causal agent of CBPP, in apparently healthy animals slaughtered
at Morogoro urban abattoir. Lungs (n=13) with CBPP-like lesions were collected
from the abattoir, kept in cool boxes, and transported to the veterinary pathology
laboratory for investigation. After thorough gross examination, the lung samples
were prepared for bacteriology, histology and immunohistochemistry using
monoclonal antibodies 3H12 and 6E3. Grossly, the lungs were non-collapsing,
marbled with widened interlobular septa, oedematous and fibrinous. They were also
consolidated and had areas of sequestration. Cultures from two samples showed
growth of small colonies with “fried egg” appearance on Mycoplasma Experience
medium. Histological examination revealed expanded alveoli containing fibrin,
oedema and inflammatory cells such as lymphocytes, plasma cells, macrophages and
alveolar epithelial cells in all samples. In more severe cases the inflammatory cells
occupied the lost architecture of the alveoli. There was also fibrinous vasculitis and
bronchiolitis with peripheral leukocytic infiltration. In immunohistochemistry,
MmmSC antigens were detected from the sections prepared from all collected lung
samples in the alveolar lumen and wall, bronchial and bronchiolar lumina, epithelium
as well as bronchial glands and cartilage. It is concluded that immunohistochemistry
is efficient in detecting MmmSC antigens in apparently healthy slaughtered animals. Its employment could be a sound option in diagnosis of CBPP in carrier
asymptomatic animals and could thus aid in a long run, the control of the disease.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Animal disease, Mycoplasma mycoides