Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection Induces Expression of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase, CD3, and CD8 in Naturally Occurring Pneumonia in Lambs

Transplacental infection by bovine alphaherpesvirus type 1 induces protein expression of COX-2, iNOS and inflammatory cytokines in fetal lungs and placentas

Bovine alphaherpesvirus type 1 (BoAHV-1) is associated with respiratory and reproductive syndromes. Until present the immunologic mechanisms involved in BoAHV-1 abortion are partially known. We studied key elements of the innate immune response in the placentas and fetal lungs from cattle experimentally-inoculated with BoAHV-1. These tissues were analyzed by histopathology. Furthermore, virus identification was performed by qPCR and the expression of the inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin 1-alpha and inflammatory mediators like inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxeganse-2 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The viral transplacental infection was confirmed by the detection of BoAHV-1 by qPCR in the placenta and fetal organs, which revealed mild inflammatory lesions. Inducible nitric oxide synthase immunolabelling was high in the lungs of infected fetuses and placentas, as well as for tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the pulmonary parenchyma and cyclooxeganse-2 in fetal annexes. However, the expression of interleukin 1-alpha was weak in these organs. To our knowledge, this is the first study that provides strong evidence of an early immune response to BoAHV-1 infection in the conceptus. Advances in the knowledge of the complex immunological interactions at the feto-maternal unit during BoAHV-1 infection are needed to clarify the pathogenesis of abortion.

Evaluation of Serum Iron and Ferritin Levels as Inflammatory Markers in Calves with Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex

Iron and ferritin have been used in human medicine for years to reveal the presence of inflammation. However, studies evaluating these parameters, especially in respiratory system diseases, are quite rare in veterinary medicine. We aimed to test the usability of serum Fe and Fe-related parameters [total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), unsaturated iron-binding capacity (UIBC) and transferrin saturation (TS) levels] as inflammatory and diagnostic biomarkers in calves with bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC). To mark inflammation, some selected acute-phase proteins including serum ferritin and transferrin levels were measured because of their close relationship with iron metabolism. The material of this study consisted of 15 calves, aged 1-3 months with BRDC (Group I) and 10 healthy calves aged 1-3 months (Group II) based on the presence of respiratory clinical findings. Serum Fe, TIBC and TS levels were low and ferritin levels were high in Group I (P ≤ 0.001). The BRDC group was separated into two subgroups based on PCR results, namely Virus+ (n=9) and Virus- (n=6). The calves in the Virus+ group had significantly lower levels of Fe (P=0.001) and significantly higher values of ferritin (P=0.002), compared to the healthy group. On the basis of inter-group comparison and ROC analysis, we concluded that Fe (primarily), ferritin, TIBC and TS levels can be used as inflammatory biomarkers and possible diagnostic markers in the BRDC as useful, practical, inexpensive substitutes. As a suggestion, these parameters which are believed to play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease, can be used as potential prognostic biomarkers in studies involving treatment.