Pancreatic lesions of pigs with post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome |
Ji-Youl Jung1, Sang-Chul Kang1, Bong-Kyun Park2, Eui-Kyung Hwang3, Dae-Yong Kim2, Jae-Hoon Kim1 |
1College of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Jeju National University 2College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University 3College of Life Science and Natural Resources, Sangji University |
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Abstract |
Post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) is a new emerging disease affecting nursery and growing pigs in worldwide. Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2) is a most important pathogen associated with PMWS. This study was carried out to investigate the pathological changes in the pancreas of pigs diagnosed as PMWS. To detect the PCV-2 antigen and nucleic acid in the tissue, immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted, respectively. 24 pigs of 4-10 weeks old showed clinical signs of PMWS such as chronic wasting, respiratory distress and diarrhea were examined. Histopathologically, interstitial and periductular mononuclear cells infiltration were observed in pancreas. Multifocal to diffuse necrosis of acinar tissues or necrotizing to granulomatous pancreastitis with numerous syncytial cells infiltration were examined in severe cases. PCV-2 nucleic acid was detected from all tested pancreas using PCR. The PCV-2 antigen in 12 pancreas sections was detected by immunohistochemical staining. PCV-2 has a tropism for vascular endothelial cells and infiltrated macrophages. Although gross lesions are uncommon in the pancreas of pigs with PMWS, histopathological changes and the presence of PCV-2 in this tissue may be related to clinical signs associated with digestive disorders. |
Key Words:
immunohistochemistry, pancreas, PCR, PCV-2, PMWS |
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