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In order to assess the phagocytosis of cells from the monocyte-macrophage series in goats naturally infected with caprine encephalitis virus, 30 Saanen goats were used and allocated into two different groups, one group consisting of 15 animals that were seropositive to agar gel immunodiffusion for the detection of serum antibodies to CAE virus and the other consisting of 15 animals that were seronegative to the test. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated by concentration gradient and plated on polystyrene plates to isolate cells from the monocyte-macrophage series. After their adhesion, the bacterium Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis was added as an antigenic challenge. Two types of phagocytosis were observed in relation to the number of bacteria internalised in the cytoplasmic vacuoles of the macrophages: cells phagocytosing an average of 12 bacteria and another group phagocytosing a countless number of bacteria. These results show a possible change in the intensity of macrophage phagocytosis in animals infected with the virus, suggesting that animals with CAE are more susceptible to caseous lymphadenitis
About the author
She graduated in Veterinary Medicine in 2002 from the Methodist University of São Paulo and in 2008 completed her master's degree in immunology applied to the medical clinic of ruminants at the Veterinary Faculty of the University of São Paulo. She currently works at Piracaia City Hall, in the interior of São Paulo, where she is a veterinary health officer.
