A quantitative approach to assess histopathological changes in the trachea of dogs and pigs infected with Influenza Virus using an ex vivo organ culture system

Hernandez Perez, Marta (2024) A quantitative approach to assess histopathological changes in the trachea of dogs and pigs infected with Influenza Virus using an ex vivo organ culture system. MVM(R) thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Histopathology is a widely used method to assess the diagnosis of a variety of diseases and pathological conditions, and achieving a diagnosis is considered the ultimate aim in most cases, in order to prevent and/or treat possible diseases. Nevertheless, when it comes to research, the simple assessment of presence/absence of alteration is not considered precise enough, and a rigorous evaluation of affected tissues is needed, taking into account time-dependent factors and accurate determination of the severity of the changes in an unbiased way. Recent developments on image analysis software can reduce subjectivity and give the possibility to convert images into measurements which are in turn suitable for statistical analyses.

The purpose of this thesis was to explore the possibility of quantifying pathological changes using an unbiased method, using an image software (Image J). In that sense, a study was designed to test Image J on a previously used ex vivo organ culture (EVOC) system represented by canine and swine tracheal explants infected with canine influenza virus (CIV) and swine influenza virus (SIV), respectively.

While the role of the pathologist is still considered as an essential figure to develop the experiment and interpreting the results, Image J allowed the measurement of different parameters using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and H&E stains, allowing quantification of different pathological changes caused by influenza virus at different points of infection (from day 0 to day 4). These parameters were area of epithelium, apoptosis (cleaved caspase-3), innate immunity (Mx1), and regeneration (ki67). The results obtained in this study revealed changes consistent with epithelial loss, increased numbers of apoptotic cells, and regeneration in CIV- and SIV-infected tracheal explants, compared to non-infected ones.

• Item Type: Thesis (MVM(R))
• Qualification Level: Masters
• Additional Information: Funding: James Herriot Veterinary Small Grants Fund
• Subjects: Q Science > QR Microbiology > QR355 Virology; S Agriculture > SF Animal culture > SF600 Veterinary Medicine
• Colleges/Schools: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Supervisor's Name: Murcia, Professor Pablo
• Date of Award: 2024
• Depositing User: Theses Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2024-84347
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 13 Jun 2024 11:23
• Last Modified: 13 Jun 2024 11:24
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.84347
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/84347