NR AXAL
AU Gubler,E.; Hilbe,M.; Ehrensperger,F.
TI Lesion profiles and gliosis in the brainstem of 135 Swiss cows with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)
QU Schweizer Archiv für Tierheilkunde 2007 Mar; 149(3): 111-22
PT comparative study; journal article; research support, non-u.s. gov't
AB Lesion profiles are considered to be an important tool for the comparison of the various animal and human spongiform encephalopathies and to obtain information upon prion strain variations. Histological and immunohistochemical reactions (PrPsc, GFAP) in 13 brain areas at 4 levels in the brainstem from 135 BSE-positive and 45 BSE-negative cases were retrospectively evaluated. In this retrospective study a lesion profile based on histological features was worked out on the basis of BSE cases originating from Switzerland over a period of ten years. They were confirmed post mortem by histology and immunohistology. Our findings were reviewed in comparison with lesion profiles published in England. No striking differences comparing type and quality of lesions in the relevant areas between the Swiss and the English cases were evident. Moreover, the lesion profiles and the character of the lesions did not differ between animals born before or after the offal feeding ban, which supports the hypothesis that the Swiss epidemic is sustained by the same single, stable strain of the BSE agent, which is probably the same as in the English epidemic.There was a good correlation between PrPsc accumulation and spongiform changes, in particular in those areas which were morphologically most affected. Astrocytosis in BSE was quantified. A significant rise in GFAP-positive cells could be shown comparing the brain stem nuclei of BSE affected with BSE-unaffected cattle, despite considerable variation between the cases and between the nuclei. The observed astrocytosis did correlate with vacuolation of the neuropil and of perikarya as well as with PrPsc accumulation.
IN Gubler et al. ermittelten die Läsionsprofile in den Hirnen von 45 BSE-negativ und 135 in der Schweiz BSE-positiv getesteten Rindern, die während eines Zeitraums von 10 Jahren gesammelt wurden. Die Autoren fanden in allen 135 BSE-Rindern das selbe Läsionsmuster wie es von den britischen BSE-Fällen kennt. Sie verstehen dies als Bestätigung der Annahme, dass die BSE-Fälle der Schweiz durch infektiöses Material aus England verursacht wurden.
MH Animals; Antibodies/metabolism; Cattle; Encephalopathy, Bovine Spongiform/*pathology; Female; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein/analysis/immunology; Gliosis/pathology/*veterinary; Immunohistochemistry/veterinary; Medulla Oblongata/chemistry/*pathology; Mesencephalon/chemistry/*pathology; Metencephalon/chemistry/*pathology; PrPsc Proteins/analysis/immunology; Retrospective Studies
AD Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse-Faculty University of Zürich, Switzerland.
SP englisch
PO Schweiz