Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2026
08:07
Procurement of Parathyroid Glands from Living Donor Pigs and Ex Vivo Identification
Published on: August 1, 2025
Thymic granulomatous lesions in pigs
Y Baba1, H Nakayama, A Yasoshima
1Department of Veterinary Pathology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan. aa27157@mail.ecc.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Veterinary Pathology
|November 14, 2006
Summary
Rare thymic granulomatous lesions in pigs were identified, characterized by specific cell types and protein expressions. The idiopathic nature of these lesions was confirmed, with no causative pathogen detected.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Swine Diseases
- Immunohistochemistry
Background:
- Granulomatous lesions are inflammatory responses observed in various tissues.
- Thymic lesions in pigs are uncommon, and their etiology requires investigation.
- Idiopathic conditions present diagnostic challenges in animal health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the histopathological and immunohistochemical features of rare thymic granulomatous lesions in pigs.
- To investigate the cellular composition and ultrastructure of these lesions.
- To determine the potential etiology, excluding known pathogens like porcine circovirus type 2.
Main Methods:
- Histopathological examination of affected tissues (thymus, lymph nodes, spleen, kidney, stomach).
- Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining to identify carbohydrate content.
- Immunohistochemistry for vimentin, lysozyme, and desmin.
- Transmission electron microscopy for ultrastructural analysis.
- Pathogen detection assays, including for porcine circovirus type 2.
Main Results:
- Lesions comprised epithelioid cells, multinucleated giant cells, and lymphocytes in the thymus and other organs.
- Giant cells and some epithelioid cells exhibited PAS-positive cytoplasm.
- All investigated cells were positive for vimentin, lysozyme, and desmin.
- Ultrastructural analysis revealed organelle-rich giant cells with membrane interdigitations and coated vesicles.
- No infectious agents, including porcine circovirus type 2, were identified.
Conclusions:
- The study describes a rare case of idiopathic thymic granulomatous lesions in pigs.
- The cellular markers (vimentin, lysozyme, desmin) suggest a myeloid or histiocytic origin.
- The absence of an identified pathogen highlights the need for further research into the pathogenesis of these lesions.
