The Journal of Medical Microbiology, Vol 14, Issue 4 435-442, Copyright © 1981 by Society for General Microbiology
Toxoplasma gondii: its effect on the ovine popliteal lymph node
D. Buxton, H. R. Miller, J. Finlayson and G. R. Wallace
Four non-immune sheep and two with naturally acquired antibody were
inoculated subcutaneously in the lower part of the leg with 100 cysts of
Toxoplasma gondii. Two other non-immune sheep were given a control
inoculum. Efferent lymph from the popliteal nodes on the side of the
injection was collected via a cannula and injected into mice. Live
toxoplasms were present in the lymph of non-immune sheep from day 2 until
day 15, at which time the experiment was terminated. Corresponding samples
of lymph from the one immune animal tested were almost always negative.
Severe pathological changes were present in lymph nodes from non-immune
sheep. Gross enlargement, loss of architecture, haemorrhages, and some
necrosis occurred, and the sinuses were packed with plasma cells and
plasmablasts. Changes in the nodes of immune sheep were similar but less
striking, with retention of architecture, no haemorrhages and no necrosis.
It was concluded that the lymphadenopathy in sheep is similar to that in
rabbits, mice and man with toxoplasmosis.
