Histopathological and microbiological findings in buffalo chronic mastitis: evidence of tertiary lymphoid structures
- Author:
Brunella RESTUCCI
1
;
Ludovico DIPINETO
;
Manuela MARTANO
;
Anna BALESTRIERI
;
Davide CICCARELLI
;
Tamara Pasqualina RUSSO
;
Lorena VARRIALE
;
Paola MAIOLINO
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Chronic mastitis; buffalo; histopathology; microbiology; tertiary lymphoid structures
- MeSH: Animals; Buffaloes; Cell Count; Female; Germinal Center; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Inflammation; Italy; Lymphocytes; Macrophages; Mammary Glands, Animal; Mammary Glands, Human; Mass Screening; Mastitis; Milk; Plasma Cells
- From:Journal of Veterinary Science 2019;20(3):e28-
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: Buffalo mastitis is an important economic problem in southern Italy, causing qualitative/quantitative alterations in milk and resulting in economic losses due to the sub-clinical course and chronic evolution. We investigated 50 udders of slaughtered buffaloes and subjected them to effectual microbiological screening to evaluate macro and microscopic mammary gland changes, immune-characterize the cell infiltrates, and compare the degree of tissue inflammation with somatic cell counts. Numerous Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were isolated from all samples, majority of which were environmental mastitis pathogens. Histological features referable to chronic mastitis were observed in 92% udders. Lymphocytes, plasma cells and macrophages were found to evolve into aggregates in 48% udders, which often organized to form tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs). A predominance of interstitial CD8+ over CD4+ lymphocytes and, in TLSs, scattered CD8+ lymphocytes in the mantle cells and CD79+ lymphocytes in germinal centers, were evidenced. Environmental pathogens are known to persist and cause chronic inflammatory changes in buffaloes, where CD8+ lymphocytes play an important role by controlling the local immune response. Moreover, the TLSs evidenced here for the first time in buffalo mastitis, could play a role in maintaining immune responses against persistent antigens, thereby contributing in determining the chronic course of mastitis.
