Experimental Amebic Hepatitis in Hamsters

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Abstract
Progressive hepatitis was induced in golden hamsters by the intrahepatic or portal vein injn. of Endamoeba histolytica (strain 200) and associated bacteria from cultures, but not by the injn. of the bacteria alone. This and certain indirect evidence indicated amebae rather than bacteria were the primary cause of hepatitis. Routinely, 50,000 amebae were injected intrahepatically. Hepatic lesions occurred in more than 95% of approx. 1000 animals. Lesions were well-defined and rarely purulent, involved approx. 25% of the liver within 4 days, usually were fatal within 6-8 days. Hematogenous dispersal of amebae was manifested by the development of pulmonary amebic lesions. Host susceptibility did not appear to be related to age or sex.