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Granulomatous Uveitis Associated with Vaccination in the Atlantic Salmon

Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, The Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Oslo, Norway (EOK, EH, TTP, IB); and Department of Fisheries and Marine Biology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway (IH)

This study addressed histologic and immunopathologic changes in ocular tissues and investigated the distribution of major histocompatibility class II (MHC class II)–positive cells in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) suffering from severe postvaccination disease. Twenty-nine fish with generalized inflammation, probably a result of vaccination, were investigated. One individual that had escaped vaccination was included in the study. Material was investigated by cultivation methods for fungi and bacteria. Histology using conventional staining procedures and immunohistochemistry with antisera against MHC class II ß chain were performed. No growth was observed from the cultivation investigations. Histology revealed occlusion of the lumen in the larger choroid vessels and in the choriocapillaris, inflammatory infiltrations and loss of structure in the choroid rete, and, in some cases, aggregations of multinucleated giant cells (MGC) and Splendore-Hoeppli material. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated massive MHC class II⁺ cellular infiltrations in the uveal tract. Such infiltrations were also seen in the ventral ciliary cleft, a condition that is associated with glaucoma. Immunoreactive cells included dendritelike cells, epithelioid cells, and MGCs. The endothelia of smaller vessels were frequently MHC class II⁺, and immunoreactive infiltrations were seen in the optic nerve in several individuals. No pathologic changes were detected in the unvaccinated individual. In conclusion, generalized inflammatory reactions in fish may lead to severe ocular inflammation, occlusion of uveal vessels, and perivascular changes with MHC class II⁺ upregulation in cells in the uveal tract and optic nerve.

Key words: Atlantic salmon; eye; glaucoma; inflammation; MHC class II; multinucleated giant cell; Splendore-Hoeppli; teleost; vaccine.

Request reprints from Dr. E. O. Koppang, Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, The Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Ullevålsveien 72, Box 8146 Dep., 0033 Oslo (Norway). E-mail: erling.o.koppang{at}veths.no.

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				E. O. Koppang, I. Bjerkas, E. Haugarvoll, E. K. L. Chan, N. J. Szabo, N. Ono, B. Akikusa, E. Jirillo, T. T. Poppe, H. Sveier, et al. Vaccination-Induced Systemic Autoimmunity in Farmed Atlantic Salmon J. Immunol., October 1, 2008; 181(7): 4807 - 4814. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]