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Pathological observations of glomerulonephritis in indigenous cattle in Rajasthan Bansiwal SK, Dadhich H*, Khanna Rakhi Rajasthan Agriculture University, Bikaner-334001 (Rajasthan) India. *College of Veterinary and Animal Science, E-mail: hdadhich@rediffmail.com
| Introduction The cattle husbandry and dairying is an important thrush to rural economy in the arid region of Rajasthan and cattle breeds of this area have established their identity not only in this state but also throughout the country. Best native productive as well as disease resistant breeds of cattle are the gift by nature to its dwellers. Through natural adaptation under the climatic stress, these animals have not only survived but have evolved into an economic life sustaining for their keepers. Although, various pathogenic organisms and toxins that gain entrance into blood circulation causes damage to lungs, liver and more specifically to kidneys as one fifth of the total blood volume circulates through the kidneys every minute exposing the same to the circulating pathogenic agents. Among the various renal disorders, the glomerulonephritis is one of the more frequent condition found in cattle in this area leads to heavy economic loss to the farmer community. In present investigation, a prevalence and pathological aspect of glomerulonephritis in indigenous cattle was studied. |
Top Materials and Methods In present study, a total of 1466 cattle kidneys were examined and out of these, 386 kidney specimens showing frank macroscopic lesions were collected in 10 per cent formal saline, were processed mechanically for paraffin embedding by acetone and benzene technique (Lille, 1965). Sections of 4–6 micron thickness were cut and stained with haematoxylin and eosin method of staining for further histopathological examination. |
Top Results and Discussion Glomerulonephritis was recorded in 19.16 percent cases. Almost similar prevalence (19.59 percent) was also recorded by Rao et al. (1982) whereas a very low prevalence was observed by Monaghan and Hannan (1983) as 0.6 percent, which may be due to difference in climatic conditions of the study area. The various types of glomerulonephritis observed were; |
Acute glomerulonephritis This condition was recorded in 3.10 per cent cases. Grossly, the kidneys were enlarged, pale, soft and oedematous. Microscopically, glomeruli were ischemic with thickened capillary walls. The glomerular tuft showed increased cellularity due to swelling and proliferation of the native cells and infiltration of polymorphonuclear leucocytes (Fig. 1). The capsular space was occupied by the swollen tuft, leucocytes, precipitated protein and few erythrocytes. At places, some of the cells of glomerular tuft appeared necrotic showing swelling of the basement membrane. Many of the proximal tubules showing swelling of basement membrane and epithelial casts. Almost similar observations were also described by Sastry (1983), Jubb et al. (1993) and Saiyari et al. (1993).
Sub-acute glomerulonephritis This condition was observed in 8.29 per cent cases. Grossly, the kidneys were pale, enlarged and soft with smooth surface and non-adherent capsule. The cut surface bulged out, cortex was wide and grayish-yellow in colour with few petechiae. These findings for sub-acute type are also described by Boyd (1961). Microscopically, the glomeruli were enlarged and individual capillary loop was thick and swollen as a result of focal proliferation of endothelial and mesengial cells (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2). In most of the cases, the extra capillary proliferation of epithelial cells of parietal layer of Bowman's capsule into capsular space was seen and forming several cell layer thick epithelial crescent. The proliferation occasionally caused adhesions between glomerular tuft and Bowman's capsule. Almost similar observations were described by Langham and Hallman (1941). The tubular epithelium, mainly the convoluted tubules showed degenerative changes, atrophy and necrosis. Granular or hyaline casts were observed in some tubules. In few cases, the capsular spaces of glomeruli were filled with homogeneous or thready coagulum. Glomerular haemorrhages were also noticed in some cases. These observations are similar to those described by Langham and Hallman (1941) and Runnels et al. (1976).
Chronic glomerulonephritis This condition was recorded in 5.44 per cent cases. Grossly, the kidneys were shrunken and contracted, the capsule were adherent and had granular surface, the cortex was narrow and cortico-medullary markings were seen. These findings were also explained by Sastry (1983) in different animals. Microscopically, in some cases, where original proliferative phase was endothelial, the tuft was obliterated by scarification and capsular space was preserved. In those cases, where initial proliferation was epithelial, the glomeruli were reduced to fuse, completely fibrosed and some of them showed hyalinized mass. The adjascent renal parenchyma showed fibrosis along with lymphocytic infiltration (Fig. 2). Large number of tubules were replaced by scar tissue while some of the tubules were dilated. Adhesions of the glomerular tuft with Bowman's capsule were noticed in most of the cases. Jubb et al. (1993) described the same findings for chronic glomerulonephritis in animals. Embolic glomerulonephritis This condition was observed in 2.33 per cent cases. A higher incidence was recorded by Marcato and Bettini (1990) which may be due to variation in climatic conditions, breed specificity or may be due to difference in feed and fodder provided to the animals. Grossly, the affected kidneys bear scattered petechiae and occasionally tiny abscesses. Some areas were affected and rest parts of kidney were not showed any gross changes. These findings are in accordance with those described by Jones et al. (1997). Microscopically, the changes were seen in varying number of glomeruli but they do not involve entire structure, only single loop or parts of loops were generally involved. The lesions were recognized as a focal zone of necrosis, usually involving part of nucleus with neutrophilic infiltration and haemorrhages. In some cases, proliferation of epithelial cells and formation of crescents were also observed. Almost similar observations recorded by Cohrs (1967) and Jones et al. (1997) in different species of animals. Top Figures | Fig. 1: Microphotograph of kidney having glomerulonephritis showing hypercellular and expanded glomerular tuft. H&E 200X.
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| | Fig. 2: Microphotograph of kidney having glomerulonephritis showing increased cellularity of glomerular tuft, tubular degeneration, necrosis and intertubular infiltration of mononuclears. H&E 200X.
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