Transboundary Emerging and Exotic Animal Disease/ Exotic Animal Disease Practice Exam

Which tissue sample is best for visualizing Ehrlichia ruminantium colonies?

1. Liver

2. Lung

3. Heart

4. Brain

The correct answer is: Brain

The best tissue sample for visualizing Ehrlichia ruminantium colonies is the brain. This is primarily because Ehrlichia ruminantium, the causative agent of heartwater disease, preferentially infects endothelial cells, which can be numerous in the central nervous system compared to other tissues. The brain may show significant pathological changes resulting from the infection, making it a more suitable sample for visualization of the bacteria. In cases of heartwater, the neurological signs that manifest, along with the potential infiltration of the bacteria into the central nervous system, enhance the relevance of brain tissue for diagnosis and study. The presence of infected cells in the brain can be better observed under microscopy, allowing for the identification of the bacteria and understanding of their pathogenic effects. Liver, lung, and heart tissues can also be involved in the disease process; however, the brain holds a more distinctive role in both pathogenesis and diagnostic visualization of the infection. Thus, utilizing brain tissue improves the likelihood of detecting Ehrlichia ruminantium colonies effectively.