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Updated: May 12, 2026
Isolation of Peritoneum-derived Mast Cells and Their Functional Characterization with Ca2+-imaging and Degranulation Assays
Published on: July 4, 2018
Mast cells in Canine parvovirus-2-associated enteritis with crypt abscess
M W Woldemeskel1, J T Saliki, U Blas-Machado
1University of Georgia, Tifton Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory, 43 Brighton Rd, Tifton, GA 31793, USA.
Abstract:
The role of mast cells (MCs) in allergic reactions and parasitic infections is well established. Their involvement in host immune response against bacterial and viral infections is reported. In this study, investigation is made to determine if MCs are associated with Canine parvovirus-2 (CPV-2)-induced enteritis with crypt abscess (ECA). Mast cell count (MCC) was made on toluidine blue-stained intestinal sections from a total of 34 dogs. These included 16 dogs exhibiting ECA positive for CPV-2 and negative for Canine distemper virus and Canine coronavirus by immunohistochemistry and fluorescent antibody test, 12 dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and 6 non-ECA/non-IBD (control) dogs. The average total MCC per high-power field in ECA (40.8 ± 2.2) and IBD (24.7 ± 2.1) was significantly higher (P < .05) than in the control (3.4 ± 0.6). Although not significant (P > .05), MCC was also higher in ECA than in IBD. The present study for the first time has documented significantly increased MCs in CPV-2-associated ECA as was previously reported for IBD, showing that MCs may also play an important role in CPV-2-associated ECA. Further studies involving more CPV-infected dogs are recommended to substantiate the findings.
Insights
Mast cells (MCs) are significantly increased in dogs with Canine parvovirus-2 (CPV-2)-induced enteritis with crypt abscess (ECA). This suggests MCs play a key role in CPV-2 associated canine enteritis.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Immunology
- Canine Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Mast cells (MCs) are recognized for their roles in allergic reactions, parasitic infections, and immune responses to bacterial and viral pathogens.
- The specific involvement of MCs in Canine parvovirus-2 (CPV-2)-induced enteritis with crypt abscess (ECA) remains to be fully elucidated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between mast cells and Canine parvovirus-2 (CPV-2)-induced enteritis with crypt abscess (ECA) in dogs.
- To compare mast cell counts in CPV-2-associated ECA with those in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Mast cell counts (MCC) were performed on toluidine blue-stained intestinal sections from 34 dogs.
- Dogs were categorized into three groups: CPV-2 positive ECA (n=16), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (n=12), and control (n=6).
- Immunohistochemistry and fluorescent antibody tests were used to confirm CPV-2 and rule out other viral infections.
Main Results:
- Average total MCC per high-power field was significantly higher in dogs with ECA (40.8 ± 2.2) and IBD (24.7 ± 2.1) compared to controls (3.4 ± 0.6) (P < .05).
- Although not statistically significant, MCC was higher in the CPV-2 associated ECA group than in the IBD group.
- This study provides the first evidence of significantly increased MCs in CPV-2 associated canine enteritis with crypt abscess.
Conclusions:
- Mast cells are significantly elevated in Canine parvovirus-2 (CPV-2)-induced enteritis with crypt abscess (ECA) in dogs.
- These findings suggest that mast cells play a significant role in the pathogenesis of CPV-2 associated canine enteritis, similar to their role in IBD.
- Further research with larger cohorts of CPV-2 infected dogs is recommended to confirm these results.
