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Pigs as an experimental model for systemic Mycobacterium avium infectious disease
Kenji Hibiya1, Makoto Furugen, Futoshi Higa
1Department of Infectious, Respiratory, and Digestive Medicine, Control and Prevention of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa 903-0215, Japan. kenjihibiya@gmai.com
Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
|October 14, 2011
Summary
Pigs may serve as a valuable model for studying Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infections, mirroring human AIDS-related disseminated MAC disease. Their immune response, particularly cell-mediated immunity, offers insights into disease pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Veterinary Medicine
Background:
- Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) is an opportunistic pathogen causing disseminated disease, particularly in AIDS patients.
- The pathogenesis of MAC infections, especially the mechanisms of dissemination from primary intestinal lesions, remains incompletely understood.
- Pigs are susceptible to MAC and exhibit intestinal lesions, suggesting potential as a disease model.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the suitability of pigs as an experimental model for disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease.
- To compare key aspects of MAC infection in pigs and AIDS patients, including routes of infection, strain characteristics, host immunology, and histology.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of MAC infection in pigs and AIDS patients.
- Evaluation of the initial route of infection and characteristics of pathogenic MAC strains.
- Assessment of host immunological status and histological features following infection.
Main Results:
- The initial route of infection and genetic characteristics of infective MAC strains are similar in pigs and AIDS patients.
- Pigs mount a cell-mediated immune response, forming systemic epithelioid granulomas.
- Differences exist in the immunological status and histological features between pigs and AIDS patients with MAC infection.
Conclusions:
- Pigs demonstrate potential as an appropriate animal model for disseminated MAC disease due to similarities in infection routes and strain characteristics.
- The robust cell-mediated immune response observed in pigs following mycobacterial infection supports their utility as a model.
- Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the comparative pathogenesis and immunological responses in this model.
