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Long-Term Catheterization of the Intestinal Lymph Trunk and Collection of Lymph in Neonatal Pigs
Published on: March 5, 2016
Intestinal and mesenteric lymphangitis mimicking arteritis in a cow with paratuberculosis
Daniel R Rissi1, Brianna C Cuellar1, Ellen Ruth A Morris2
1Athens Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
Summary
Paratuberculosis in cattle can cause lymphangitis that mimics arteritis, a rare finding. Recognizing this distinction is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis infection.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Infectious Diseases
- Ruminant Health
Background:
- Paratuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), is a chronic ruminant infection.
- It typically causes granulomatous enteritis, lymphangitis, and lymphadenitis.
- Lymphangitis mimicking arteritis has not been previously reported in bovine paratuberculosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a case of paratuberculosis with unusual vascular lesions in a cow.
- To differentiate lymphangitis from arteritis in the context of MAP infection.
- To highlight diagnostic challenges and limitations in identifying lymphatic involvement.
Main Methods:
- Histopathologic examination of intestinal and mesenteric tissues.
- Ziehl-Neelsen stain and real-time PCR for MAP confirmation.
- Verhoeff-van Gieson stain to assess elastic laminae.
- PCR testing for gammaherpesvirus (MCF).
- Immunohistochemistry for Prox1 (lymphatic endothelial marker).
Main Results:
- A 2-year-old Angus cow presented with signs of paratuberculosis, including granulomatous enteritis and hemorrhagic feces.
- Intestinal and mesenteric vessels showed inflammation resembling arteritis.
- MAP infection was confirmed.
- Vascular changes were identified as chronic lymphangitis, not arteritis, based on elastic lamina absence.
- Prox1 immunohistochemistry was inconclusive for identifying lymphatic endothelium.
Conclusions:
- Chronic lymphangitis can be a significant feature of bovine paratuberculosis, mimicking arteritis.
- Accurate histopathologic evaluation, including elastic tissue staining, is vital to distinguish lymphangitis from arteritis.
- This distinction is critical to avoid misdiagnosis, particularly differentiating from diseases like malignant catarrhal fever.
- Limitations in Prox1 antibody cross-reactivity or detection in bovine lymphatic vessels were noted.
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