Bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) in the laboratory-bred and wild rat, Rattus norvegicus.
In juvenile wild rats, bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) development was similar to that seen in adult specified-pathogen-free rats. In adult wild rats the BALT was widespread. In one animal infected with a mycoplasma-like organism, a region of bronchoepithelium overlying a large BALT nodule was seen, through which lymphocytes appeared able to pass to make direct contact with the bronchial lumen: the significance of this observation is discussed. There was no evidence of infection in lungs from any of the specified-pathogen-free animals, where small foci of BALT were seen.
D000818:Animals; D000830:Animals, Laboratory; D000835:Animals, Wild; D001980:Bronchi / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009175:Mycoplasma Infections / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D051381:Rats / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D012376:Rodent Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D013047:Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms