Histological and immunohistochemical characterization of the inflammatory and glial cells in the central nervous system of goat fetuses and adult male goats naturally infected with Neospora caninum

Abstract

BackgroundNeospora caninum is an apicomplexan protozoan that is considered one of the main agents responsible for abortion in ruminants. The lesions found in the central nervous system (CNS) of aborted fetuses show multifocal necrosis, gliosis, and perivascular cuffs of mononuclear cells, but the inflammatory and glial cells have not been immunophenotypically characterized. The lesions in the CNS of infected adult animals have rarely been described. Therefore, in this study, we characterized the lesions, the immunophenotypes of the inflammatory and glial cells and the expression of MHC-II and PCNA in the CNS of goats infected with N. caninum. The CNS of eight aborted fetuses and six adult male goats naturally infected with N. caninum were analyzed with lectin histochemistry (RCA1) and immunohistochemistry (with anti-CD3, −CD79α, −GFAP, −MHC-II, and -PCNA antibodies). All animals were the offspring of dams naturally infected with N. caninum.ResultsThe microscopic lesions in the CNS of the aborted fetuses consisted of perivascular cuffs composed mainly of macrophages (RCA1+), rare T lymphocytes (CD3+), and rare B lymphocytes (CD79α+). Multifocal necrosis surrounded by astrocytes (GFAP+), gliosis composed predominantly of monocytic-lineage cells (macrophages and microglia, RCA1+), and the cysts of N. caninum, related (or not) to the lesions were present. Similar lesions were found in four of the six male goats, and multinucleate giant cells related to focal gliosis were also found in three adult goats. Anti-GFAP immunostaining showed astrocytes characterizing areas of glial scarring. Cysts of N. caninum were found in three adult male goats. The presence of N. caninum was evaluated with histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and PCR. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated anti-PCNA labeling of macrophages and microglia in the perivascular cuffs and the expression of MHC-II by microglia and endothelial cells in the CNS of the aborted fetuses and adult male goats.ConclusionsMacrophages and microglia were the predominant inflammatory cells in the CNS of aborted fetuses and healthy adult male goats infected with N. caninum. Activated astrocytes were mainly associated with inflamed areas, suggesting that astrocytes were involved in the resolution of the lesions.

Exercise attenuates alveolar bone loss and anxiety‐like behaviour in rats with periodontitis

“…After fixing in 10% formalin, a sagittal incision was made in the brains and left hemisphere was processed for preparation of histology slides (Costa et al., ). The sections were subjected to immunohistochemistry using the anti‐glial fibrillary acidic protein antibody (GFAP; Dako) diluted 1:1000 with antigen recuperation in citrate buffer (pH 6.0), performed in a water bath for six minutes in a microwave at maximum power as described by Costa et al.…”

“…The sections were subjected to immunohistochemistry using the anti‐glial fibrillary acidic protein antibody (GFAP; Dako) diluted 1:1000 with antigen recuperation in citrate buffer (pH 6.0), performed in a water bath for six minutes in a microwave at maximum power as described by Costa et al. ().…”

Imunodetecção de Toxoplasma gondii em tecido placentário de cabras naturalmente infectadas

“…As imunomarcações foram classificadas de acordo com a intensidade das reações na IHQ, em discretas (+), moderadas (++) e severas (+++), segundo metodologia descrita por Costa et al (2014).…”

“…Reações discretas na IHQ foram obtidas em 4,4% (1/23), reações moderadas em 60,8% (14/23) e severas em 34,8% (8/23) das amostras de placentas analisadas na IHQ. A predominância de reações moderadas e severas pode indicar que há prejuízo causado pelo protozoário nesse órgão, conforme demonstrado por Costa et al (2014). Dubey et al (2002) afirmam que as necroses focais nas vilosidades cotiledonares são decorrentes da degeneração causada pelos taquizoítos nos tecidos, sendo confirmada posteriormente na IHQ.…”

Caprine Monocytes Release Extracellular Traps against Neospora caninum In Vitro

“…Neospora caninum is an obligate intracellular parasite that naturally infects a wide host range, such as dogs, cattle, sheep, and caprines ( 1 – 3 ). Neosporosis is considered as a major cause for reproductive disorders and thereby causing severe economic losses in cattle ( 4 , 5 ).…”