Studies in the Pathology and Pathogenesis of Experimental Brucellosis: II. The Formation of the Hepatic Granuloma and its Evolution

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Abstract
Serial studies were conducted in mice and guinea pigs infected with Brucella abortus to determine the sequence of events which lead to the formation of the hepatic granuloma and also its fate in exptl. brucellosis. Brucella cells are promptly phagocyted by circulating polymor-phonuclears which form focal aggregates in the sinusoid of the liver within 3 hrs. At 24 hrs. these focal aggregates of polymor-phonuclears are replaced by Kupffer''s cells which have become markedly distended by ingested Brucella. The Kupffer''s cells then form aggregates within the sinusoids. These aggregates increase in size and by 5 days are recognized as young granulomas composed mainly of epithelioid cells. The young granulomas fuse to form larger lesions which may develop hyaline centers within three months. As the infection begins to subside at 6 mos., there is an abatement of the granulomatous reaction with marked reduction in the number of component cells. The granulomas ultimately disappear and leave no scar. These results have not been obtained with B. suis or B. melitensis.