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Published on: July 11, 2015
Differential reactivity of bovine lymphocytes to species of Brucella
R Smith1, J C Kapatsa, S J Sherwood
1Department of Veterinary Pathology, Texas A&M University, College Station 77843-4463.
Insights
Bovine lymphocytes showed varied reactivity to Brucella species. Susceptibility to brucellosis correlated with cross-reactivity to Brucella suis and Brucella melitensis in these cattle.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Immunology
- Bacteriology
- Animal Health
Background:
- Brucellosis is a significant zoonotic disease affecting cattle globally.
- Understanding the bovine immune response to Brucella species is crucial for disease control.
- Previous studies have indicated variability in lymphocyte responses within cattle populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro reactivity patterns of bovine lymphocytes against four Brucella species.
- To determine if lymphocyte reactivity correlates with natural resistance or susceptibility to brucellosis in cattle.
Main Methods:
- Thymidine uptake assays were performed on lymphocytes from cattle naturally resistant or susceptible to brucellosis.
- Long-term cultured lymphocytes and freshly obtained blood mononuclear cells were utilized.
- Lymphocyte reactivity was assessed against four Brucella species: B. abortus, B. canis, B. suis, and B. melitensis.
Main Results:
- Three distinct patterns of lymphocyte reactivity to Brucella species were identified.
- A statistically significant correlation was observed between susceptibility to brucellosis and lymphocyte cross-reactivity with B. suis (P < 0.01).
- A strong correlation was found between brucellosis susceptibility and lymphocyte cross-reactivity with B. melitensis (P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Bovine lymphocyte reactivity to Brucella species is heterogeneous.
- Specific patterns of lymphocyte cross-reactivity, particularly with B. suis and B. melitensis, are associated with susceptibility to brucellosis in cattle.
- These findings may inform diagnostic strategies and vaccine development for bovine brucellosis.
Abstract:
The reactivity of bovine lymphocytes to 4 species of Brucella was tested in thymidine-uptake assays, using long-term cultured lymphocytes and freshly obtained blood mononuclear cells. Lymphocytes were taken from cows that had been challenge exposed with a virulent strain of B abortus at midgestation. The cows were classified retrospectively as being naturally resistant or susceptible to brucellosis. Lymphocytes taken from these cows had 3 patterns of reactivity with species of Brucella: pattern 1 was defined by reactivity with 4 species (B abortus, B canis, B suis, and B melitensis); pattern 2 was defined by reactivity with all these species, except B melitensis; pattern 3 was defined by reactivity with B abortus and B canis, but not with B suis or B melitensis. There was a statistically significant correlation between susceptibility to brucellosis and expression of lymphocyte cross-reactivity with B suis (P less than 0.01) and with B melitensis (P less than 0.001).
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