The potential of immunohistochemistry in diagnosis of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia in apparently healthy animals

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Date

2013

Journal Title

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Volume Title

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

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