Effects of the Components of Fusobacterium necrophorum in Experimental Liver Abscess Formation in Mice

Abstract

Hepatic lesions produced by intravenous inoculation of intact Fusobacterium were compared with those produced by its extracted components in mice. Coagulative necrosis along with bacterial emboli in the sinusoid developed into true abscess within 7 days after the intact bacterial inoculation. Serositis was produced by the cell wall fraction. Hepatic degeneration and necrosis and abnormalities in blood coagulation were observed by inoculation with either the lipopolysaccharide or the cytoplasmic fraction. Fluorescent antigens corresponding to F.necrophorum, the lipopolysaccharide or the cytoplasmic fractions were observed in the sinusoid.