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A Histopathologic, Immunohistochemical, and Ultrastructural Study of the Intestine in Pigs Inoculated with Classical Swine Fever Virus

Departamento de Anatomía Patológica, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba, Campus Universitario de Rabanales, Edificio de Sanidad Animal, Córdoba, Spain (PJSC, SR, FJS, ERV, LC, JCGV); Departamento de Patología Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, Argentina (SR); and CISA-INIA, Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain (FJS)

The aim of this study was to report on the lesions occurring in the intestine during experimental classical swine fever (CSF) and to clarify the nature of infected cells and the distribution of viral antigen. Thirty-two pigs were inoculated with the virulent CSF virus (CSFV) isolate Alfort 187 and slaughtered from 2 to 15 postinoculation days; four animals of similar background served as a control group. Immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, and the transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling method were used to detect viral antigens and apoptosis. The results showed progressive lymphoid depletion and mucosal necrosis. The lymphoid depletion could have been caused by apoptosis of lymphocytes but could not be directly attributed to the effect of CSFV on these cells. Vascular changes, pathogenic bacteria, and viral infection of epithelial cells were ruled out as causes of necrotic lesions. However, large virally infected monocytes-macrophages with ultrastructural changes indicative of activation were observed in the intestine. This suggests that monocytes-macrophages play an important role in the pathogenesis of intestinal lesions. An understanding of the function of these cells will require additional study.

Key words: Apoptosis; classical swine fever; intestine; lymphoid depletion; macrophage; virus.

Request reprints from Dr. J. C. Gómez-Villamandos, Departamento de Anatomía y Anatomía Patológica Comparadas, Edificio de Sanidad Animal, Campus Universitario de Rabanales, Carretera de Madrid-Córdoba, Km 396, 14014 Córdoba (Spain). E-mail: jcgomez{at}uco.es.

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