Respiratory diseases in sheep, which form a significant part of the livestock sector, represent a serious problem. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of bronchopneumonia, one of the most commonly observed lung diseases in sheep. To this end, the expression of HSP (heat shock protein) 27, a current biomarker of oxidative stress, was monitored in lung tissue samples from sheep with bronchopneumonia. The study material consisted of lung tissues from 16 sheep of different breeds, ages and sexes. Haematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining was performed for histopathology, and immunohistochemical staining was carried out to examine HSP 27 expression in lung tissues exhibiting macroscopic findings consistent with bronchopneumonia (consolidation). Histopathological examination revealed fibrinous inflammatory cell exudation in the bronchi/bronchioles and alveolar lumina, as well as degeneration, necrosis and vascular changes in the respiratory tract epithelia. In the immunohistochemical examination, HSP 27 expression was observed in the bronchi/bronchioles and alveolar epithelia, as well as in inflammatory cells. The results of this study demonstrated that oxidative stress, which plays a role in the pathogenesis of many diseases, is also relevant in sheep bronchopneumonia, as evidenced by the expression of HSP 27, an important biomarker of oxidative stress. Furthermore, it was concluded that HSP 27 may play a potential role in the diagnosis of the disease, in addition to contributing to the pathogenesis of sheep bronchopneumonia.

Heat shock protein, Oxidative stress, Pathology, Pneumonia, Sheep