Immune complex glomerulonephritis of suspected iatrogenic origin in five Japanese Black calves

Abstract

Five Japanese Black embryo transfer calves from a single embryo flush, 30 to 45-days-old, including 4 live animals for clinical examination and 1 dead for necropsy, were presented with a history of decreased milk intake and hypoproteinemia. Consistent clinicopathological abnormalities in the 4 calves presented for clinical evaluation included hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia, hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia, hyperbilirubinemia, increased creatine phosphokinase activity, and proteinuria. Four calves ultimately were necropsied and all had histologic evidence of immune complex glomerulonephritis. Glomerulonephritis in these calves was hypothesized to have resulted from the interaction of passively acquired antibodies at birth and active immunization at 7 and 28 days of age with a Salmonella Typhimurium core antigen vaccine.

Urine protein‐to‐creatinine ratio in cattle with subclinical renal disease

“…The persistent presence of antigens, of even low pathogenicity, including bacteria (septic metritis), viruses (bovine viral diarrhea virus infection), and parasites ( Trypanosoma congolensis , Fasciola hepatica ), have been associated with proteinuria due to immune‐complex induced glomerulonephritis . In addition, proteinuria due to lymphocytic and neutrophilic glomerulonephritis with degenerated tubular epithelium has been observed in cattle infected with Pasteurella multocida B:2, as well as after active immunization with the Salmonella Typhimurium core antigen vaccine …”