Morphometric evaluation of immunoglobulin A-containing and immunoglobulin G-containing cells and T cells in duodenal mucosa from healthy dogs and from dogs with inflammatory bowel disease or nonspecific gastroenteritis.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the distribution of IgA- and IgG-containing cells and T cells in the villi of duodenal mucosa from healthy dogs and from dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) of gastroenteritis.

DESIGN:

Case-control study.

ANIMALS:

28 dogs, grouped according to clinical and histologic criteria: 11 dogs with IBD, 8 dogs with non-specific gastroenteritis, and 9 healthy dogs.

PROCEDURE:

Endoscopic biopsy specimens of duodenal mucosa from each dog were stained specifically for IgA and IgG heavy chains and pan T-cell (CD3) antigen, using immunoperoxidase techniques. Morphometric analysis, performed via an image-analysis system, was used to count IgA- and IgG-containing cells and T cells within paired contiguous villi from each dog.

RESULTS:

cells were the predominant immune cell type in all groups of dogs. Significant differences in the villus distribution of IgA- and IgG-containing cells and T cells were not observed. Healthy dogs had significantly higher T-cell counts than had dogs with IBD or gastroenteritis. Dogs with nonspecific gastroenteritis had a significantly higher concentration of IgA-containing cells than the other groups of dogs had. Significant group differences for IgG-containing cells also were evident, with dogs with IBD having the lowest cell counts.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE:

High concentrations of IgA- and IgG-containing cells and T cells in the villus lamina propria cannot be reliably used to distinguish IBD from other intestinal disorders in dogs. Evaluation of T cells may be the most discriminatory method for differentiating dogs with IBD from clinically normal dogs via examination of intestinal biopsy specimens.

• Authors: A E Jergens, F M Moore, M S Kaiser, J S Haynes, J M Kinyon
• Journal: American journal of veterinary research (Am J Vet Res) Vol. 57 Issue 5 Pg. 697-704 (May 1996) ISSN: 0002-9645 [Print] United States
• PMID: 8723885 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• CD3 Complex
• Immunoglobulin A
• Immunoglobulin G

Topics

• Animals
• Biopsy (veterinary)
• CD3 Complex (analysis)
• Case-Control Studies
• Dog Diseases (diagnosis, immunology, pathology)
• Dogs
• Duodenum (cytology, immunology, pathology)
• Gastroenteritis (diagnosis, pathology, veterinary)
• Immunoglobulin A (analysis)
• Immunoglobulin G (analysis)
• Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (diagnosis, pathology, veterinary)
• Intestinal Mucosa (cytology, immunology, pathology)
• Microvilli (ultrastructure)
• T-Lymphocytes (cytology, immunology, pathology)