The Journal of Medical Microbiology, Vol 15, Issue 3 317-326, Copyright © 1982 by Society for General Microbiology
Pathological and biochemical features of Legionella pneumophila infection in guinea-pigs
P. Hambleton, A. Baskerville, R. B. Fitzgeorge and N. E. Bailey
The main pathological feature of experimental legionellosis produced by the
intraperitoneal inoculation of guinea-pigs was a fibrinopurulent
peritonitis, especially over the liver and spleen. Foci of necrosis were
present in these organs from the second to seventh day after infection.
Early biochemical changes in the serum included significant decreases in
the concentration of zinc and iron, and increases in copper and
triglycerides. Phenylalanine to tyrosine ratios increased strikingly, but
free amino acid decreased slightly. The total protein concentration did not
change, but acute-phase proteins increased. Serum lysozyme activity
increased as leucocytosis developed but fell during the subsequent
leucopenia. In the later stages of the disease the activity of alkaline
phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, and creatine kinase decreased;
that of dehydrogenases and transaminase increased.
