Evidence of Pasteurella haemolytica linked immune complex disease in natural and experimental models

The pathogenesis of bovine pneumonic pasteurellosis is not completely understood, and studies have not established that Pasteurella haemolytica Al (Phl) virulence is exclusively responsible for the development of acute pulmonary lesions. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if immune complex disease is involved in the pathogenesis of bovine pneumonic pasteurellosis. A retrospective immunohistologic study of lung tissue from natural cases of bovine pneumonic pasteurellosis (44) as performed, and immune complexes were observed in alveloar spaces and walls in 88% of these cases. To study this pathologic mechanism experimentally, groups of mice were immunized with purified Phl outer membranes (OMs) or sham immunized on days 0 and 14. Mice were challenged intratracheally on day 24 with either live Phl or Phl OMs, and pulmonary lesions were assessed 24 h after challenge. Placebo immunized mice developed focal infiltrates of neutrophils and macrophages centered around large caliber bronchi. Mice immunized with Phl OMs and challenged with live Phl or OMs developed severe bronchointerstitial pneumonia with diffuse neutrophilic infiltration, focal necrosis, hemorrhage and edema, that is histologically similar to bovine pneumonic pasteurellosis. Immunohistology revealed flocculent aggregates of IgG and complement positive material within alveolar spaces and walls from mice challenged with live Phl, and fine granular deposits of IgG and complement positive material were observed lining the alveolar walls from mice challenged with Phl OMs. Immunized mice exhibited high serum IgG antibody titers to Ph1 outer membrane proteins (OMPs). Results of this study suggest that immune complex disease plays a role in the pathogenesis of bovine pneumonic pasteurellosis. (C) 1999 Academic Press.