Glomerulonephritis in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) naturally infected by Fasciola hepatica.
Glomerulonephritis caused by Fasciola hepatica was observed in buffaloes. Renal biopsies of 20 buffaloes, 11 with F. hepatica and 9 uninfected buffaloes (controls), were examined by light microscopy, direct and indirect immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemical analysis. The biopsies of seven (63.6%) infected buffaloes revealed membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, three biopsies (27.3%) showed mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis, and one kidney presented normal biopsy specimens. In the control group, seven buffaloes (77.8%) presented normal biopsy specimens, while two (22.2%) revealed glomerulonephritis-one with a membranoproliferative pattern, and the other with a mesangioproliferative pattern-with extensive inflammatory cell infiltrate. Our conclusion is that glomerulopathy is associated with fascioliasis and that buffaloes are suitable as a naturally existing experimental model of renal injury by circulating immune complexes.
Marques
Sandra Márcia Tietz
SM
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Scroferneker
Maria Lúcia
ML
Edelweiss
Maria Isabel Albano
MI
D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000032:analysis; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000032:analysis; D001706:Biopsy / Q000662:veterinary; D001938:Brazil; D002020:Buffaloes / Q000469:parasitology*; D005210:Fasciola hepatica / Q000254:growth & development*; D005211:Fascioliasis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct / Q000662:veterinary; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect / Q000662:veterinary; D015432:Glomerulonephritis, Membranoproliferative / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000662:veterinary
D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D000947:Antigens, Helminth