title: Histopathological classification of systemic Mycobacterium avium complex infections in slaughtered domestic pigs.
abstract: The aim of this study was to classify the histopathological features of pigs infected with Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC). We used slaughtered pig organs systemically infected with MAC. The results showed granulomatous lesions which were observed predominantly in the digestive organs and regional lymph nodes rather than respiratory organs. The histological picture showed a wide range of granulomatous stages from exudative to fibrotic reactions to the MAC infection. Eosinophils and giant cells were characteristically observed in the exudative reactions. The histopathological type in primary focus tended to be maintained in the respective organs. Most strains with the same genotype showed pathogenicity for guinea pigs irrespective of the type of granuloma. Although these findings suggest that different stages of a granulomatous lesion originating from the same causative agent might influence histological patterns, other possibilities such as the hereditary background of the host, or the effects of viral infections should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Control and Prevention of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, 207 Uehara, Nishihara, Okinawa 903 0215, Japan. k068736@eve.u-ryukyu.ac.jp
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hibiya
authors.forename: Yuko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kasumi
authors.forename: Isamu
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sugawara
authors.forename: Jiro
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fujita
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005838:Genotype; D006099:Granuloma / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008099:Liver / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D015269:Mycobacterium avium Complex / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015270:Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D034421:Sus scrofa; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*