Effect of immunosuppressive treatment on Eperythrozoon suis infection and porcine peripheral-blood natural-killer-(NK) cell activity
Abstract
The effects of immunosuppressive treatment on natural-killer-cell activity and the manifestation of eperythrozoonosis in swine were investigated. After infection with Eperythrozoon suis (E. suis), German Landrace piglets received daily intravenous (i.v.) applications of cyclophosphamide (CY, Endoxan) on 6 consecutive days. A combined immunosuppressive treatment using azathioprine (Imurek), a single application of dexamethasone (Devan), and two injections of anti-asialo GM1 serum (1:50) was performed with a piglet over a period of 9 days. Leucocyte counts, differential blood-cell count, and microhaematocrit and rectal temperature were controlled. Direct microscopic observation of E. suis organisms was performed in Giemsastained blood smears. Immunosuppressive treatment resulted in relative lymphocytosis and transient agranulocytosis. CY and azathioprine therapy caused a temporary increase of E. suis organisms in red blood cells. Natural-killer-(NK) cell activity mediated by nylon-wool non-adherent peripheral-blood mononuclear leucocytes (NAD-PBML) was recorded during and after immunosuppressive treatment of pigs infected with E. suis. Cytotoxic activity of NK cells was consistently reduced after two CY injections and further dec...Continue Reading
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