An Ancillary Tool for the Diagnosis of Amyloid A Amyloidosis in a Variety of Domestic and Wild Animals

Abstract

Abstract. Immunohistochemistry, the standard method for diagnosing amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis, is limited in animals because it requires a large array of animal-specific anti-AA antibodies, not commercially available. The Shtrasburg method (SH method) is a highly specific and sensitive technique, helping in the diagnosis and determination of AA amyloidosis in humans. The aim of this study is to determine whether the SH method is applicable in the diagnosis of AA amyloidosis in a variety of animals. Tissue samples were obtained from animals suffering from spontaneous or experimentally induced AA amyloidosis (mice, hamsters, guinea pigs, cheetahs, cats, cows, ducks, a dog, a goose, a chicken, and a turaco). Detection of the amyloid and quantitative evaluation were performed using Congo red staining, and specific AA typing was performed by the potassium permanganate technique. The studied tissues were subjected to the SH method, which confirmed the AA nature of the amyloid deposit, by displaying in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis protein bands consistent with the molecular weight of the species-specific AA, in all the animals examined, except mice, hamsters, and guinea pigs. N-terminal analysis of these bands corroborated their AA origin. We conclude that the SH method may be used as an ancillary simple tool for the diagnosis of AA amyloidosis in a large number of domestic and wild animals. Moreover, our findings further increase the feasibility of applying this method in humans.

Amyloidosis in Domestic Animals: Pathology, Pathogenesis, Gross and Microscopic Lesions and Clinical Findings

“…AA and AL amyloid deposits stain similar with Congo red stain. The identification of AA is usually based on its reactivity with specific anti-AA antibodies and sensitivity to permanganate pretreatment (Wright et al, 1977;Shtrasburg et al, 2005) (Fig. 4).…”

Generalized Amyloidosis in an Eastern Bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci)

“…Moreover, the loss of Congo red staining in amyloidotic tissues that have been pretreated with permanganate is suggestive but not absolutely specific for AA type. 10 Amyloidosis has been previously documented in four antelope species: mountain gazelle (Gazella gazella), saigas (Saiga tatarica), Dorcas gazelle (Gazella dorcas), and Arabian gazelle (Gazella gazella sp.). 3,5,8,14 This brief communication describes for the first time, to the best of the authors' knowledge, the pathology associated with reactive systemic amyloidosis in an eastern or mountain Bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci), an endangered antelope species.…”

“…In animal species, the phenomenon of abolition of Congo red staining following potassium permanganate pretreatment has been found to be inconsistent. 10 As such, immunohistochemistry was pursued to classify the type of amyloid present. Interspecies crossreaction of anti-AA antibodies in man and in 11 other species has been found and is thought to be the result of marked amino acid homologies of SAA among different species.…”

Increasing fatal AA amyloidosis in hunting falcons and how to identify the risk: a report from the United Arab Emirates

“…In mammals, AA amyloidosis has been reported in canines [14,15], felines [16][17][18], bovines [19,20], ovines [21,22], porcines [23], equines [24], lagomorphs [25], and other species [6,26], besides other amyloid types [10].…”