A study of lymphoid organs and serum proinflammatory cytokines in pigs infected with African swine fever virus genotype II.
http://www.pubfacts.com/detail/25797197/A-study-of-lymphoid-organs-and-serum-proinflammatory-cytokines-in-pigs-infected-with-African-swine-f
Arch. Virol.
Arch Virol 2015 Mar 24. Epub 2015 Mar 24.
"African swine fever virus (ASFV), the causative agent of one of the most
important viral diseases of domestic pigs for which no vaccine is
available, causes immune system disorders in infected animals. In this
study, the serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines, as well as the
histological and cellular constitution of lymphoid organs of pigs
infected with ASFV genotype II were investigated. The results showed a
high degree of lymphocyte depletion in the lymphoid organs, particularly
in the spleen and lymph nodes, where ASFV infection led to a twofold
decrease in the number of lymphocytes on the final day of infection.
Additionally, ASFV-infected pigs had atypical forms of lymphocytes found
in all lymphoid organs. In contrast to lymphocytes, the number of
immature immune cells, particularly myelocytes, increased dramatically
and reached a maximum on day 7 postinfection. The serum levels of TNF-α,
IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 were evaluated. Proinflammatory cytokines showed
increased levels after ASFV infection, with peak values at 7 days
postinfection, and this highlights their role in the pathogenesis of
ASFV. In conclusion, this study showed that ASFV genotype II, like other
highly virulent strains, causes severe pathological changes in the
immune system of pigs."
