PATHOMORPHOLOGICAL REACTIONS OF NEW-ZEALAND WHITE-RABBITS TO RECTAL ADMINISTRATION OF ENCEPHALITOZOON-CUNICULI

Encephalitozoonosis is caused by the protozoan parasite E. cuniculi. P revious studies suggested that the kidney and brain are the main targe t organs of spontaneous infection. To estimate whether a given number of spores influences the pathological pattern of infection, two differ ent doses of inocula were given to rabbits per rectum. Brain, liver, k idney and lungs were evaluated histologically 90 days after infection and pretreatment with Fleet solution. The rabbits infected with 5 x 10 (7) spores developed pathological changes in the liver and kidney. The brain and urinary bladder were also damaged. E. cuniculi was found im munohistochemically in tissue. Per rectum infection of rabbits appears to be a good model for the study of sexually transmitted diseases and enteric pathogens in people.