Sample collection
Two sub-adult female Chinese pangolins (bodyweight: 1.1 kg), designated
P1 and P2, were found by local inhabitants in areas of natural forest
and taken to the Guangdong Wildlife Rescue Center (Guangzhou), although
both subsequently died within a week of rescue.
Pathological observation andImmunohistochemistry
Following post-mortem examination conducted at the Guangdong Wildlife
Rescue Center, entailing gross observations, tissues were collected from
different parts of the intestines, including the
duodenum, jejunum, ileum,
colon, rectum and mesenteric
lymph nodes, as well from
other major organs. These tissues were fixed in 10% neutral formalin,
then sliced to give 5-μm sections, which were subsequently processed for
hematoxylin and eosin staining or immunochemical analyses using standard
protocols. Immunochemistry was performed using and in-house CPV
monoclonal antibody
(mouse-origin; two-fold dilution) as the primary antibody and
horseradish peroxide (HRP)-conjugated anti-goat IgG (Sigma; 1:1000
dilution) as the secondary antibody. The histological features and
immunohistochemical results were observed and images captured using an
Olympus light microscope.