Immuno-histochemical and -cytochemical Evidence Suggesting the Presence of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in Cases of Porcine Intestinal Adenomatosis

Abstract

Antisera against a number of Campylobacter species were used in immuno-histochemical and -cytochemical studies on cases of porcine intestinal adenomatosis. Avidin-biotin-complex (ABC) and streptavidin immunoperoxidase methods were used on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded and frozen sections. Protein A gold method was used on formaldehyde fixed and frozen sections for immuno-cytochemistry. The antisera used were raised in rabbits by subcutaneous or intravenous injection of living or formalin treated organisms. Antisera against different serotypes of the thermotolerant, catalase positive Campylobacters, Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli gave positive reactions in the immuno-histochemical studies. The staining was found in intestinal epithelial cells both in the ileum and in the colon and was restricted to the apical cytoplasm of adenomatous epithelial cells. The staining had a granular pattern, the positive structures sometimes having the shape of Campylobacter. Epithelial cells in areas with normal differentiation of goblet cells did not stain. In contrast, no staining resulted with antisera against Campylobacter sputorum subsp. mucosalis and Campylobacter hyointestinalis. Immuno-cytochemistry, using antisera against Campylobacter jejuni showed that the positive staining in altered epithelial cells were restricted to intracellular organisms having a structure resembling Campylobacter spp.

Sammendrag

Antisera mot ulike Campylobacter species ble brukt i immun-histokjemiske og -cytokjemiske studier. Avidin-biotin-complex (ABC) og streptavidin immunperoksydase metoder ble utført på formalinfikserte, paraffininnstøpte snitt og på frysesnitt fra tilfeller av intestinal adenomatöse hos gris. De benyttede antisera ble produsert på kanin ved intravenøs eller subkutan injeksjon av levende eller formalin behandlede bakterier. Antisera mot ulike serotyper av termotolerante, katalase positive Campylobacter, Campylobacter jejuni og Campylobacter coli ga positiv reaksjon. Den positive reaksjonen ble runnet i forandrede epitelceller både i kolon og i ileum og var begrenset til den apikale delen av cytoplasmaet. Det var ingen reaksjon i områder med tilsynelatende normal epitelcelle morfologi og differensiering av begerceller. Antisera mot Campylobacter sputorum subsp. mucosalis og Campylobacter hyointestinalis ga ingen reaksjon. Immun-cytokjemiske undersøkeiser med antiserum mot Campylobacter jejuni serotype PEN 21 viste at den positive reaksjonen i adenomatøst omdannede epitelceller var lokalisert til intracellulære bakterier og ikke til andre cytoplasmatiske komponenter.