PATHOLOGICAL-CHANGES IN RABBITS INFECTED WITH ENCEPHALITOZOON-CUNICULI RECTALLY

Ten rabbits infected rectally with two different doses of E. cuniculi (5 x 10(5) or 5 x 10(7)) were examined for pathological lesions. The l ower dose induced changes in the kidneys and liver as a rule. The high er dose of spores resulted in a more comprehensive involvement of orga ns (brain, urinary bladder, and gall bladder). Immunohistochemically, E. cuniculi was demonstrated in the lesions. Control animals did not s how signs of encephalitozoonosis. The per rectum infection is a suitab le model for the study of microsporidiosis in homosexual persons with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.