Ultrastructural morphometric investigation of early lesions in the pulmonary alveolar region of pigs during experimental swine influenza infection.

Experimental infection of specific-pathogen-free pigs with swine influenza virus by the intratracheal route resulted in a severe respiratory disease that closely resembled natural swine influenza in clinical course and pathologic lesions. Alveolar epithelial necrosis with sloughing of necrotic cells occurred from 24 to 96 hours after inoculation (p.i.) and was associated with alveolar edema and diffuse interstitial pneumonitis. The latter, initially of neutrophilic character, became histiocytic 48 hours p.i. Ultrastructural analysis of alveolar parenchyma disclosed viral replication in epithelial cells beginning at 5 hours p.i. and lasting to 96 hours. Budding of pleomorphic virus particles from the surface of alveolar epithelial cells and accumulation of viral proteins within the nucleus and cytoplasm of epithelial cells were seen. The extent of parenchymal lesions as quantified by stereologic morphometry within the whole lung was characterized by a marked relative and absolute volume increase of interalveolar septa and increased air-blood tissue barrier thickness. The volume increase of interalveolar septa was due to an increase of interstitial tissue volume by 85% in pigs at 96 hours p.i., compared with control pigs with similar lung volumes.