Immunohistochemical identification of generalized AA-amyloidosis in a mountain gazelle (Gazella gazella).

Generalized amyloidosis was diagnosed post-mortem in a mountain gazelle (Gazella gazella). To test whether the amyloid deposits consisted of amyloid-A fibril protein a series of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies directed against amyloid-A fibril protein of different species was applied to formalin-fixed paraffin sections using the indirect immunoperoxidase technique. The immunohistochemical results showed a moderate cross-reaction of gazelle amyloid with human, murine, hamster, and canine amyloid-A fibril protein. A strong cross-reaction, however, was found with one of two monoclonal anti-human amyloid-A antibodies and with an antiserum against bovine amyloid-A fibril protein, the amyloid fibril protein of another ungulate. These results demonstrate the presence of amyloid-A fibril protein in the gazelle amyloid and illustrate the diagnostic value of cross-reacting anti-amyloid-A antibodies for the identification of amyloid-A-amyloidosis in species and in individuals in which amyloid has not yet been examined.