ADRENAL-CORTEX ALTERATIONS IN MICE INFECTED WITH PLASMODIUM-BERGHEI

The ultrastructural study of adrenal cortex from Plasmodium berghei in fected mice showed different degrees of capillary wall alterations inc luding disruption and widening of the fenestrae, capillaries packed wi th parasitized erythrocytes, necrosis of cortical cells, parasitized e rythrocytes outside capillaries and in some instances inside cortical cell cytoplasm. Lymphocytes were also observed in degenerated cortical cells. Our results suggest that adrenal cortex lesions may be relevan t in the etiopathogenesis of severe malaria.