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.