BackgroundA mechanical intestinal obstruction (MIO) can generate intraabdominal hypertension (IAH) that is life threatening. The intestines are very sensitive to IAH since the low splanchnic perfusion causes intestinal hypoxia, local acidosis and bacterial translocations. This may lead to acute intestinal distress syndrome (AIDS). The identification of intestinal injuries during IAH and its correlation with clinical parameters as the abdominal perfusion pressure (APP), the gastric intramucosal pH (pHi) and lactic acid (Lc) are still unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the sequence of intestinal histopathological findings in an MIO model and to analyze potential relationships with parameters currently used in clinical practice (APP, pHi and Lc).Material and methodsTwenty pigs were divided into three groups: a control group (n = 5) and two experimental groups with 20 mmHg (G1, n = 10) and 30 mmHg (G2, n = 5) of IAH by MIO. The pressures were maintained for 3 hours, except in 5 animals in G1 where it was maintained for 5 hours. The APP, pHi and LA were recorded and biopsies of the terminal ileum were taken every 30 minutes in all groups. The intestinal damage was graded according to the Park Score.ResultsIntestinal injuries were found in 42.9% of pigs in the experimental groups. The lesions were independent of the level and duration of IAH. Although APP and pHi were slightly lower in injured animals (I +) of G1 and G2, there were no significant differences among those uninjured (I-). Lc was significantly increased in all I+ pigs from the onset of IAH.ConclusionThe IAH by MIO causes intestinal lesions from the first 30 minutes with concurrent decreases in APP and pHi and increases in Lc. Lc could be the best clinical parameter related to intestinal damages with a clear difference between I + and I- animals.

The evolution of intestinal injuries from pneumoperitoneum-induced IAH depends on the degree of IAP. These damages may be associated with decreases in APP and pH, and increases in Lc.

The available E. coli vaccines involve two main types (inactivated and live non-pathogenic) and two routes of administration (oral and parenteral) but the mechanism by which both vaccines and routes of administration work is not yet fully elucidated. The influence of a parenteral vaccine (PV) and an oral one (OV) was studied by analyzing the gene expression of biomarkers indicating cellular infiltration (calprotectin, CAL), tight junction proteins (occludin OCL, and zonulin ZON) that maintain intestinal paracellular integration and two proinflammatory (IFN-γ) and anti-inflammatory (TGF-β) mediator cytokines, as well as histomorphology and IgA production cell density. Differences were observed in CAL, more infiltrated in orally vaccinated animals; OCL also increased in orally vaccinated animals, and higher density of IgA-producing cells in ileum for orally vaccinated groups. Cytokine expression is also different; and there is a lower mRNA for IFN-γ in the parenteral than in the oral vaccinated animals. Finally, the villus height-to-crypt depth ratio was higher in the orally vaccinated groups. The data collectively show clear and different effects derived from the use of each type of vaccine, route of administration and regimen. The results suggest a more rapid and direct effect of oral vaccination and a state of suppression in the absence of a second oral stimulus by the pathogen.

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Some regions of Spain have control and eradication programs to fight against goat tuberculosis. These official programs are based on a type of diagnosis that relays on cellular immunity (Intra dermal tuberculin test and IFN-γ release assay), however, there is a humoral type of diagnosis (serology) that could be useful as an ancillary test for the detection of animals with a predominant type of humoral response. Those goats are related to a more advanced phase of the disease and they can spread the bacteria in an easier way causing a persistent infection on some farms. Since these tests are based on the immunopathological process suffered by the animal, it is of our interest to understand better the regulation of the immune response at a systemic and local level. In this study, 23 goats were taken, 10 of which were positive only to cellular immunity-biased tests and the other 13 only positive to humoral-biased tests. From the macroscopic visualization of the lesions, samples were taken to perform 3 different studies: the histopathological one where microscopic lesions were classified as closed or opened. For the etiological study, the Ziehl Neelsen stain was carried out, and finally, for the study of the different lymphocyte families separately, immunohistochemical staining was performed. The objective was to find the existing relationships between the type of diagnostic test and the different studied parameters. The results showed that there was indeed a significant association between a cell-type diagnosis, with closed-type lesions, on the other hand, the association between a humoral-type diagnosis with open-type lesions (more infective ability), with a more significant presence of B lymphocytes as well as regulatory T lymphocytes in the lesion, a reason that meets our hypothesis that these cells are found in a higher number in more advanced stages with chronic inflammation processes. En determinadas comunidades autónomas de España, existen programas de control y erradicación frente a la tuberculosis caprina para minimizar las repercusiones económicas y de salud pública. Dichos programas oficiales se fundamentan en un tipo de diagnóstico basado únicamente en inmunidad celular (prueba de intradermotuberculinización y prueba de liberación de IFN-γ), no obstante, existe un tipo de diagnóstico humoral (serología) que podría resultar útil cómo prueba adicional para detección de animales con una respuesta humoral predominante. Todas las pruebas se basan en el proceso inmunopatológico que padece el animal enfermo, por lo que resulta interesante comprender la regulación del proceso a nivel sistémico y local. En este trabajo se estudiaron 23 cabras de las cuales 10 resultaron positivas tan sólo a pruebas de inmunidad celular y otras 13 únicamente positivas a pruebas de tipo humoral. A partir de la visualización macroscópica de las lesiones, se tomaron muestras para la realización de 3 estudios: uno histopatológico mediante la clasificación microscópica de las lesiones en cerradas y abiertas, otro etiológico mediante la visualización de micobacterias con la tinción de Ziehl Neelsen y un estudio de los diferentes grupos celulares inmunológicos mediante inmunohistoquímica. El objetivo fue establecer las relaciones existentes entre el tipo de prueba diagnóstica y los distintos parámetros estudiados. Los resultados demostraron la existencia de una asociación significativa entre el diagnóstico de tipo celular, con lesiones de tipo cerrado. Asimismo, la asociación entre un diagnóstico de tipo humoral con lesiones de tipo abiertas (más infectivas), con mayor presencia de linfocitos B y linfocitos T reguladores en el área de lesión. Por tanto, se cumple nuestra hipótesis de que dichas células se hallan en un número más elevado en fases más avanzadas de la enfermedad con procesos de inflamación crónica, lo que influye en el diagnóstico condicionado por el tipo de prueba empleada.

No abstract

Oxygen (O2) rates in the oviduct are essential to human and animal reproduction. These rates are regulated by the activity of hypoxia markers such as the hypoxia‐inducible factors (HIFs), the glucose transporters (GLUT), and the carbonic anhydrase (CA). In the porcine model, scarce studies have been reported regarding these markers and their effects in reproduction are unknown. The objective was to characterize the immunolocalization of HIF‐2α, GLUT1, and CAIX in porcine oviducts throughout the estrous cycle. Oviducts (ampulla and isthmus) of adult sows (n = 45) were collected for histological and immunohistochemical analysis with HIF‐2α, GLUT1, and CAIX markers. The percentage of immunopositive area was quantified, and the differences among phases of the estrous cycle were analyzed (folicular, early luteal, and late luteal). The three markers showed epithelial presence mainly. Significantly lower expression of HIF‐2α was found in the luteal phases, especially in the isthmus. GLUT1 expression did not change throughout the estrous cycle, but differences were found between the ampulla and isthmus. CAIX expression showed the highest, with a significant downward trend throughout estrous cycle. The ubiquitous expression of hypoxia markers shows the porcine oviduct physiology in relation to O2. The differential expression of HIF‐2α, GLUT1, and CAIX in different subcompartments of the oviduct throughout the estrous cycle contributes to improve the knowledge of the cell physiology of the oviduct, which can be useful in fertilization studies.

A bovine herd with a high prevalence of paratuberculosis (PTB) cohabiting with a population of pigeons was studied (2011–2020). After finding the disease in 2011, annual monitoring was performed in 2012–2014 by obtaining blood samples for ELISA and intradermal tuberculinization (IT) tests for Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP). Positive animals were eliminated. PTB prevalence dropped from 10% to 0% but returned to similar values (9.5%) after 6 years without tests. In all animals, Ac values according to the optical density (OD) determined by ELISA increased each year and could be used to isolate herds close to the cutoff point to improve PTB control. Possible reservoirs were considered after evaluating the little success of the PTB control program, and the population of feral pigeons was studied. Specifically, 10% of the pigeon population (n = 13) was necropsied. Samples of intestine, feces, and foot skin for PCR study for MAP and samples of terminal intestine for histopathological analysis were taken. Eleven pigeons were PCR-positive against MAP, in the intestine (10/11), foot skin (3/11), and feces (1/11). The presence of MAP in pigeon feet could demonstrate its role as a mechanical disseminator of PTB, while the presence in pigeon intestine and feces could also suggest its role as a reservoir.