Abstract
The author has performed an investigation on the cellular injury induced by infection of the leptospira ictero-hemorrhagica.
The results obtained were as follows:
1) The light microscopic investigation revealed massive hemorrhagic pneumonia, hemorrhagic foci of liver necrosis which subsequently lead to cause generalized jaundice, tubular necrosis of kidney and hemorrhagic glomerulonephritis. The above-mentioned changes appeared to be most outspoken at 7 days after inoculation.
2) The electron microscopic investigation revealed the following findings.
i) In the lung, extensive retention of the proteineous material as well as accumulation of the cellular debris was striking. Interstitial edema and edematous swelling of the fibrocollagenous fibers were also discernible. The endothelial cell swelling and disintegration which eventually lead to destruction of the blood-air barrier were striking. Simultaneously extensive type 1 and II epithelial cell disintegration was encountered.
ii) In the liver, extensive swelling and disintegration of the mitochondria as well as loss of mitochondrial cristae, decrease of glycogen particulates, disintegration of the rough and smooth surfaced endoplasmic reticulum were very striking. As a matter of fact, destruction of the sinusoidal lining cells was very extensive. Most strikingly, spiral bodies, identifiable as leptospiral organism which revealed selective stainability to the PAM impregnation technique were dispersed in the cytoplasm and inter-cellular spaces.
iii) In the kidney, the glomerular capillary vessels were induced in vigorous destruction. The endothelial cells were induced in striking destruction and the basement membrane revealed poor distinction, slight thickening. The swelling of the epithelial cells as well as increased lysosomes was also striking. Extensive foci of necrosis of tubular epithelium and granular cast formation were frequently noted.
3) It was concluded that the leptospira ictero-hemorrhagica strain possess the specific property to destruct the blood-tissue barrier in various visceral organs which subsequently cause functional dysfunction of the micro-circulatory system. The toxic or immunological enchancement will be contributory in causing tissue injury in this particular disease condition.
