Vet. Res. 37 (2006) 257-280
DOI: 10.1051/vetres:2006001

MALT structure and function in farm animals

Elisabeth M. Liebler-Tenorio^a and Reinhard Pabst<sup>b

a</sup>  Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Naumburger Str. 96 a, 07743 Jena, Germany
^b  Medical School Hanover, Centre of Anatomy, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hanover, Germany

(Received 17 May 2005; accepted 15 September 2005; published online 23 February 2006)

Abstract - Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) is defined as an organized lymphoid tissue in the mucosa that samples antigens. The morphological characteristics that distinguish MALT from lymphoid infiltrates are discussed. MALT has been extensively investigated in laboratory animals, while knowledge in cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and horses that are summarized under the term farm animals in this review is fragmentary. Literature data about the distribution, morphology, function and involvement in infectious diseases of MALT in farm animals are described. The understanding of specific features of MALT in other species than laboratory animals is important for comparative research, in order to understand pathological and immunological processes in the respective species and as a potential route of vaccination of mucosal surfaces.

Key words: MALT / NALT / tonsils / BALT / GALT

Corresponding author: Elisabeth M. Liebler-Tenorio Elisabeth.Liebler-Tenorio@fli.bund.de

© INRA, EDP Sciences 2006