Classical swine fever: Morphological and morphometrical study of pulmonaryintravascular macrophages

To gain further insight into the pathogenesis of classical swine fever (CSF ), the changes induced by hog cholera (HC) virus in pulmonary intravascular macrophages (PIMs) were examined. Twelve pigs were inoculated by the intra muscular route with a virulent strain of HC virus (Quillota strain) and kil led in groups Of three at 4, 7, 10 and 14 days post-inoculation. Immunohist ochemical and ultrastructural examination revealed HC virus infection in en dothelial cells, PIMs, and interstitial and alveolar macrophages. In additi on to viral replication, a predominant feature was the secretory activation of PIMs. characterized by expanded rough endoplasmic reticulum and hyperpl astic Golgi complexes. The results obtained suggest that macrophage activat ion and the subsequent release of pro-inflammatory mediators play an import ant role in the pathogenesis of CSF. (C) 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.