Immunohistochemical distribution of immunoglobulin and secretory component in the ileum of normal and paratuberculosis-infected cattle.

The immunohistochemical distribution of IgA, IgG, IgM and secretory component in the ileum of 10 normal and 21 paratuberculosis-infected cattle was investigated. Semi-quantitative analysis of the number of each class of Ig-containing cells in the lamina propria mucosa of infected ileums showed that IgG and IgM-containing cells and total Ig-containing cells were significantly more numerous than those in the normal ileums. There was no significant difference in the numbers of IgA-containing cells between the two groups of cattle. The distribution of IgA, IgM and SC was basically similar in the two groups. However, IgG-containing cells characteristically accumulated around the granulomas. It was considered that excessive local production of Ig in the intestinal mucosa, along with subsequent formation of immune complex or release of histamine from mast cells, could account for the occurrence of diarrhoea and participate in the pathogenesis of bovine paratuberculosis. A comparison of the local immunological state in paratuberculosis and Crohn's disease was made.