Effects of allergen challenge on plasma concentrations of prostaglandins, thromboxane B2, and histamine in calves infected with bovine respiratory syncytial virus.

To examine the influence of allergen-induced type-1 hypersensitivity on the pathogenesis of bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) infection, we sensitized calves by aerosol to Micropolyspora faeni (MF) and challenge exposed them during infection with BRSV. The development of MF-specific IgE serum concentrations was confirmed by ELISA. The dynamics of arachidonic acid metabolism and histamine release during a type-1 hypersensitivity reaction in the bovine lung were studied by quantitating the concentrations of prostaglandin (PG)E2, PGF2 alpha, PGI2 as 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, thromboxane (TX) A2 as TXB2, and histamine in plasma of BRSV-infected and/or MF-sensitized/challenge-exposed calves. Four treatment groups were established: (1) BRSV infection only, (2) aerosol sensitization to MF followed by BRSV infection and aerosol challenge exposure to MF, (3) MF aerosol sensitization and challenge exposure without BRSV infection, and (4) aerosol sensitization to MF followed by BRSV infection without MF challenge exposure. Significantly increased concentrations of PGI2 were associated with MF aerosol exposure, particularly when combined with BRSV infection in group 2. After MF challenge exposure, TXB2 concentrations were significantly greater in the virus and MF challenge-exposed group 2. Individual calf data for the change in MF-specific IgE concentration between the first and second MF challenge exposures and the change in PGE2 concentration 30 minutes after the second MF challenge exposure had a highly significant direct correlation. Histamine concentrations were significantly greater in calves infected with BRSV than in uninfected controls regardless of MF exposure. These data further substantiate the thesis that implicates type-1 hypersensitivity as a pathogenic mechanism in BRSV-related disease.