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Stereotypic immune response in Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis infection among different Swiss caprine
Melina Rasper-Hössinger1, Simone Scherrer1, Roger Stephan1
1University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Abstract:
Paratuberculosis is an infection with Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP) causing chronic enteritis in domestic and wild ruminants worldwide. In goats, the infection is caused by C (cattle)-type and S (sheep)-type strains. In this study, the correlation between different MAP strains and histomorphological lesions in the small and large intestines, as well as the mesenteric lymph nodes, in Swiss goats (Caprae aegagrus hircus) was investigated. Ten Swiss caprine MAP isolates were characterized using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzymatic restriction-based single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis. In addition, mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units and variable-number tandem repeats (MIRU-VNTR) profiling was performed, and the correlation with histologic lesions, scored as previously described for goats, was analyzed. Furthermore, immunohistochemical expression of CD3, CD79a, Iba1, cleaved caspase 3, and interleukin (IL)-17 was evaluated, and a morphometric analysis was conducted to quantify the different inflammatory cells. Diffuse multibacillary lesions were found in C-type/L'Institut national de recherche pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement (INRAE) Nouzilly MIRU-VNTR (INMV)1 (2/10) and S-type/INMV220 (1/10) animals. Diffuse lymphocytic lesions occurred in C-type/INMV1 (2/10) animals, while diffuse mixed lesions were observed in S-type/INMV218 (3/10) and S-type/INMV220 (2/10) animals. No significant differences in intestinal histological lesion scores were detected between S- and C-type INMV strains. Morphometrical analysis revealed similar inflammatory and apoptotic cell numbers in the intestinal mucosa of C- and S-type animals; however, S-type animals exhibited significantly more Iba1- and cleaved caspase 3-positive cells in mesenteric lymph nodes. Lesions in mesenteric lymph nodes might indicate a differentially regulated course in MAP pathogenesis.
Insights
Paratuberculosis in goats is caused by Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP) C- and S-type strains. While intestinal lesions showed no significant difference, S-type strains induced more inflammation in lymph nodes, suggesting varied disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Microbiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Paratuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP), leads to chronic enteritis in ruminants.
- In goats, MAP infections involve C (cattle)-type and S (sheep)-type strains.
- Understanding strain-lesion correlations is crucial for managing paratuberculosis in goats.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between MAP strains (C-type and S-type) and histomorphological lesions in Swiss goats.
- To analyze the immunohistochemical expression of inflammatory and apoptotic markers.
- To compare lesion development and inflammatory cell infiltration between different MAP strains.
Main Methods:
- Characterization of ten Swiss caprine MAP isolates using PCR and SNP analysis.
- Mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units and variable-number tandem repeats (MIRU-VNTR) profiling.
- Histological scoring, immunohistochemistry (CD3, CD79a, Iba1, cleaved caspase 3, IL-17), and morphometric analysis of intestinal and mesenteric lymph node tissues.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in intestinal histological lesion scores were found between C-type and S-type MAP strains.
- Similar inflammatory and apoptotic cell counts were observed in the intestinal mucosa of both groups.
- S-type MAP infections were associated with significantly higher numbers of Iba1- and cleaved caspase 3-positive cells in mesenteric lymph nodes.
Conclusions:
- MAP C- and S-type strains induce comparable intestinal lesions in Swiss goats.
- Mesenteric lymph node inflammation differs between S- and C-type infections, potentially indicating distinct pathogenic pathways.
- Further research into MAP pathogenesis and host-parasite interactions is warranted.
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