Cross-reactivity of human and bovine antibodies in striped dolphin paraffin wax-embedded tissues

This study evaluates the cross-reactivity of seven anti-human and one anti-bovine antibodies in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples of liver and mesenteric lymph nodes of 13 striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba). Four antibodies (CD3, IgG, lysozyme and S100 protein) reacted with striped dolphin lymph nodes in a similar pattern to that observed in the species of origin. The anti-human MHC class II mAb reacted strongly with macrophages and dendritic-like cells of striped dolphins, whereas a small number of lymphocytes were labelled with this antibody. These antibodies were used to study the immunophenotype of the inflammatory infiltrated in non-specific chronic reactive hepatitis (eight cases) and chronic parasite cholangitis (two cases) and normal liver (three cases) of striped dolphins. Non-specific chronic reactive hepatitis was composed of inflammatory infiltration of CD3+ T lymphocytes and IgG+ plasma cells in portal spaces and hepatic sinusoids. Lymphonodular aggregates observed in chronic parasitic cholangitis showed a cellular distribution similar to that found in lymph node cortex, including the presence of S100+ and MHC class II+ dendritic-like cells in lymphoid follicles and interfollicular areas. This result suggests that those inflammatory infiltrates are highly organised to enhance antigen presentation to B and T cells.     

In situ hybridization for Lawsonia intracellularis--specific 16s rRNA sequence in paraffin-embedded tissue using a digoxigenin-labeled oligonucleotide probe.

An in situ hybridization (ISH) procedure with a digoxigenin-labeled oligonucleotide probe for detection of Lawsonia intracellularis in paraffin-embedded tissue is described. This technique recognized 71% of PCR-positive cases and was thus superior to Warthin-Starry silver stain, which only detected 41%. The presented ISH is of comparable sensitivity to previously published immunohistochemical assays and is recommended for laboratories wishing to diagnose L. intracellularis infections in tissue sections but without access to antibodies.     

Immunohistochemical detection of canine adenovirus in paraffin sections of liver

An avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase procedure was optimized for detection of canine adenoviral antigens in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded liver. Long-term stability of viral antigen was shown by successful demonstration of virus in liver tissue preserved up to six years from dogs with infectious canine hepatitis. This immunohistochemical stain was applied to sections from livers with a wide range of inflammatory lesions. Examination of sections from 53 dogs yielded five livers with small amounts of adenovirus. An additional virus-positive liver was identified from a dog with no hepatic inflammation. Although a cause and effect relationship remains to be determined, these findings suggest a possible connection between canine adenovirus and spontaneous chronic hepatitis.     

A novel oligonucleotide probe for the detection of Newcastle disease virus.

An approach that possesses high specificity and broad applicability was used to obtain a DNA probe with potential diagnostic value. By utilizing synthesized oligonucleotide DNA, termed NDV probe, all 14 strains of NDV tested under high-stringency conditions were recognized in a slot-blot hybridization assay. The sequence of the NDV probe was generated from a highly conserved region of the NDV genome. No hybridization was observed with RNA isolated from other avian viruses, including avian influenza, infectious bursal disease, and infectious bronchitis. The specificity inherent in using an oligonucleotide probe offers advantages over probes obtained from cloned DNA fragments.     

生物素标记寡核苷酸探针原位检测石蜡切片鸭瘟病毒核酸

据GenBank中有关鸭瘟病毒(DPV)的1个765 bp的EcoRⅠ片段序列,用Oligo软件设计长度为37 bp的寡核苷酸并用生物素标记制备探针,经blast分析和斑点杂交检测探针的特异性后,建立从石蜡切片中检测出DPV核酸的原位杂交方法并对人工感染死亡鸭的各组织器官进行检测,结果显示:(1)寡核苷酸探针能特异性检测到DPV强毒CHv株DNA,对鸭病毒性肝炎病毒QL79株RNA、血清1型鸭疲里默氏杆菌DNA、鸭源多杀性巴氏杆菌DNA、鸭沙门菌DNA和大肠杆菌DNA的检测结果为阴性.(2)以寡核苷酸探针建立的从石蜡切片中检测出DPV核酸的原位杂交方法的最佳反应条件为:组织切片先用0.2 mol/L HCl 37℃处理20 min,然后用100 mg/L的蛋白酶K 37℃消化15 min左右;杂交时探针工作浓度为350 μg/L;Avidin-AP的工作稀释度为1:100.(3)以所建立的原位杂交法检测DPV-CHv强毒人工感染死亡鸭的各组织器官,结果肝脏、肠道、法氏囊、脾脏、食道、肺脏和肾脏呈阳性反应,DPV的DNA分布于特定细胞的细胞浆和细胞核.结果表明,原位杂交检测石蜡切片中DPV的方法具有直观、特异性强的优点,是对DPV进行检测和病原定位的良好方法,可用于DPV的侵染过程和致病机理研究及回顾性诊断检测.     

Identification of Leishmania donovani amastigotes in canine tissues by immunoperoxidase staining

This paper describes the demonstration of Leishmania donovani amastigotes in canine tissues by immunoperoxidase staining. An indirect immunoperoxidase method was applied to the organs of 20 dogs in which leishmaniasis was previously diagnosed. Haemosiderin pigment was eliminated with 5 per cent oxalic acid. Amastigotes of L donovani appeared as dark brown stained bodies which contrasted with haematoxylin stained host cells. No positively stained amastigotes could be seen in any of the sections incubated with control serum. The organs which more frequently showed leishmanids were: skin (macrophages and fibroblasts), liver, spleen, lymph nodes and bone marrow. In a few cases amastigotes were seen in kidneys, gut, adrenal glands, eyes and testicles. This technique is simple to perform, gives consistent results and allows unequivocal histopathological diagnosis of canine leishmaniasis.     

Production of a bovine IL-12p40 probe and application using in situ hybridization on ruminant fixed tissues

Pro-inflammatory cytokines (particularly IL-12) are important for initiating protective T helper 1 (Th1)-type immune responses and hence vital for combating intracellular infections and tumours. In situ hybridization (ISH) provides a powerful diagnostic tool allowing the identification and localization of cells producing these mediators in fixed tissues. The objective of this work was to produce a bovine IL-12p40 probe that allows detection of IL-12p40 mRNA in fixed tissues from different ruminant species. The RNA probe sequence is 447 bp in length and from a region with high cross-species-sequence homology (>97.3% homology) to the ovine, cervine, caprine and bubaline IL-12p40 genes. ISH was carried out on paraformaldehyde fixed tissues collected from cattle, sheep and goats. The probe was efficient in identifying IL-12p40 expressing cells in fixed tissues from all these species. In conclusion, the IL-12p40 probe was efficient in identifying and localizing cells that express IL-12p40, and provides a good immuno-diagnostic technique to characterize immune responses in fixed tissues.     

Comparison of a new synthetic, peptide-derived, polyclonal antibody-based, immunohistochemical test with in situ hybridisation for the detection of swine hepatitis E virus in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues

A synthetic, peptide-derived, polyclonal antibody-based, immunohistochemical test was developed to detect swine hepatitis E virus (HEV) and was compared with in situ hybridisation for the detection of HEV in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from experimentally infected pigs. Solid-phase peptide synthesis was used to generate peptides from swine HEV open reading frame 2, and the purified peptides were injected into rabbits to produce polyclonal antibodies. The specificity and sensitivity of the test were both 100%. Liver was most consistently positive for swine HEV antigen and RNA by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridisation, respectively, but both were detected much less frequently in extrahepatic tissues such as lymph node, tonsil, spleen, and intestine. Swine HEV antigen and RNA showed a similar distribution in virus-infected hepatocytes in serial sections. The novel test developed in this study is suitable for consistently detecting swine HEV antigen in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues.     

Differentiation between canine cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis by the detection of immunoglobulin G specific for Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis and Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi antigens using flow cytometry

Flow cytometry employing Leishmania (L.) chagasi (Lc) and L. (Viannia) braziliensis (Lb) antigen was used to establish the differential diagnosis between visceral (VL) and cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in dogs. Flow cytometry permitted the detection of Leishmania-specific immunoglobulin G in sera from 19 dogs: nine with CL and 10 with VL. A significant difference in the percentage of positive staining was observed in sera from dogs with CL between the homologous antigen (69% for Lb) and the heterologous antigen (42% for Lc). However, this difference was not significant in sera from dogs with VL (61% for Lb and 73% for Lc). No significant staining was observed in control sera (0.6% for Lb and 0.4% for Lc) consisting of samples from healthy dogs, or in the group with sporotrichosis (1.8% for Lb and 1.5% for Lc), a differential diagnosis of CL. The results suggest that flow cytometry might be useful for the differentiation between CL and VL in dogs, with practical applications in areas where the two infections overlap.     

Detection of fowlpox virus DNA by in situ hybridization using a biotinylated probe

In situ hybridization was applied to detect fowlpox virus (FPV) DNA in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections of the skin from infected chickens by using a biotinylated probe and a streptavidin-alkalinephosphatase conjugate. The immunohistochemical examination was applied to compare the distribution of the FPV DNA to that of related antigenic protein in serial sections. In the infected epithelial cells, FPV DNA was detected in cytoplasmic inclusion bodies and in the rest of cytoplasm. Likewise, immunohistochemical examination revealed the virus antigen in cytoplasm. Ultrastructurally, virions were observed in the cytoplasmic inclusion bodies, and immature virus particles were in the rest of the cytoplasm. The study proved restricted distribution of FPV DNA in the cytoplasm.     

Use of in situ hybridization with a biotinylated probe for the detection of bovine herpesvirus-1 in aborted fetal tissue

Forty-five cases of bovine abortion were examined using in situ hybridization (ISH) with a biotinylated DNA probe specific for bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1). Of the 45 cases, 16 were diagnosed as due to BHV-1, 15 were determined to be due to other causes, and 14 were of undetermined etiology. Direct comparisons between ISH and an immunoperoxidase (IP) test specific for BHV-1 were performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections of lung, liver, kidney, spleen, thymus, and placenta; fluorescent antibody tests for BHV-1 and virus isolation were performed on fresh lung and liver. In comparison to these routine BHV-1 detection techniques, ISH had an overall sensitivity of 88.2% and a specificity of 89.3% in detecting BHV-1 in aborted fetuses. Immunoperoxidase was more sensitive than ISH with tissue sections from lung (87.5% vs. 69%), liver (92% vs. 17%), spleen, and placenta; results of the tests on tissue sections from kidney were concordant. Liver sections presented special problems in that nonspecific reactions were frequently observed with hybridization. With thymus sections, the rate of detection was higher by hybridization than by IP, but the specificity of some of these reactions could not be confirmed.     

In situ hybridization for the detection and localization of swine Chlamydia trachomatis

Gnotobiotic piglets were inoculated intralaryngeally with swine Chlamydia trachomatis strain R33 or orally with swine C. trachmatis strain R27. Archived formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from piglets euthanatized 4-7 days postinoculation were examined by in situ hybridization for C. trachomatis nucleic acid using a nonradioactive digoxigenin-labeled DNA probes that targeted specific ribosomal RNA or omp1 mRNA molecules of the swine C. trachomatis strains. Positive hybridization signals were detected in bronchial epithelial cells, bronchiolar epithelial cells, pneumocytes, alveolar and interstitial macrophages, and jejunal and ileal enterocytes. Chlamydia-infected cells had a strong signal that was confined to the intracytoplasmic inclusions. Positive hybridization signals were not detected in tissue sections from an uninfected control piglet or in C. psittaci-infected sheep placenta. The morphology of host cells was preserved despite the relatively high temperature required in parts of the incubation procedure. The data indicate that in situ hybridization can be used to detect swine C. trachomatis in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue specimens.     

Photodynamic detection of a canine glioblastoma using 5-aminolevulinic acid

Photodynamic detection using 5-aminolevulinic acid has been used to identify the surgical margins during resection of human primary brain tumours. Although there are some reports on its use in malignant tumours in veterinary medicine, it has never been used for primary brain tumours. Here we describe a canine glioblastoma that was detected at autopsy with protoporphyrin IX fluorescence induced by orally administered 5-aminolevulinic acid. The fluorescence was strongest towards the centre of the lesion and was absent in normal brain tissue. Moreover, the fluorescence findings were consistent with MRI and histopathological findings. Our findings suggest that photodynamic detection using 5-aminolevulinic acid might be useful for intraoperative fluorescence-guided resection of malignant gliomas in dogs.     

Tissue-print hybridization using a non-radioactive probe for the detection of infectious bursal disease virus.

Tissue-print hybridization was evaluated as a simplified means for detection of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) in the bursa of Fabricius from infected chickens. The assay employed a biotin-labeled synthetic oligonucleotide as a probe. The bound probe was detected using a color assay consisting of streptavidin conjugated to alkaline phosphatase. Bursae were imprinted onto nitrocellulose and then hybridized with the biotinylated probe. Bursal prints from IBDV-infected chickens were readily distinguished from control prints by color development and differences in signal intensity.     

Optimal enhancement of in situ hybridization for the detection of porcine circovirus 2 in formalin-fixed,paraffin-wax-embedded tissues using a combined pretreatment of thermocycler and proteinase K

Optimal enhancement of the hybridization signal was developed for the detection of porcine circovirus (PCV) 2 in formalin-fixed, paraffin-wax-embedded tissues from pigs with postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome. The hybridization signal obtained after thermocycler pretreatment was very uniform across the section, whereas the signal obtained after either proteinase K or microwave pretreatment not only was weaker but was of variable intensity across sections. Thermocycler pretreatment combined with brief proteinase K digestion can enhance signal detection for target viral nucleic acid in formalin-fixed, paraffin-wax-embedded tissues. A strong hybridization signal was detected in the cytoplasm of macrophages and multinucleated giant cells in lymph node and spleen without background staining and morphological damage. The technical improvement results, therefore, in an identical background at the same time as an increased signal and, thus, may help detect lower levels of PCV2 DNA in formalin-fixed, paraffin-wax-embedded tissues.     

In situ hybridization for the detection of feline interleukin 1 alpha mRNA on the paraffin-embedded section using biotin-labeled probes.

In situ hybridization (ISH) technique with a biotin-labeled probe was established for detecting feline interleukin 1 (IL-1) alpha mRNA in necropsied specimens. Homology between human IL-1 alpha cDNA used as a probe and feline IL-1 alpha mRNA was confirmed by means of dot blot hybridization using the biotin-labeled probe. Hence, we tried by this biotinylated probe to detect mRNA of IL-1 alpha in paraffin-embedded sections. The following results were obtained for the routine procedures: 1) coating slides with poly-L-lysine and/or heating at 60 degrees C at least for 6 hours gave an excellent result for the adhesion of the tissue sections, 2) 10 micrograms/ml solution of proteinase K treatment for 30 minutes or 50 to 100 micrograms/ml solution of proteinase K treatment for 10 to 30 minutes at 37 degrees C gave the good results in the detection of ISH signal, 3) suitable denaturation time of probes at 70 to 90 degrees C was 5 to 15 minutes, and 4) effective hybridization was obtained by incubation for 24 hours at 4 degrees C, for 18 to 24 hours at 25 degrees C or for 5 to 24 hours at 37 degrees C.