INTERACTION OF BLOOD-BORNE ESCHERICHIA-COLI WITH PHAGOCYTES OF SPLEEN AND LIVER IN TURKEYS

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Abstract
The response of splenic and hepatic macrophages to blood-borne virulent and avirulent E. coli was studied in 3 wk old turkeys. Bacterial titers in blood, spleen and liver were determined for 20 min after i.v. injection of E. coli. Spleen and liver were examined by light microscopy and EM. Blood titers of avirulent E. coli were reduced to 1/3000 of their original level in 20 min; titers of virulent E. coli were only slightly reduced. The E. coli localized in macrophages of hepatic sinusoids and splenic reticular sheaths (ellipsoids). In liver, phagocytosis was more efficient for avirulent E. coli than for virulent E. coli. In splenic macrophages, phagosomal membranes were separated from ingested avirulent E. coli by a prominent space; phagosomal membranes surrounding virulent E. coli were wavy and closely apposed to the bacterial surface. The appearance of phagosomes may reflect the capacity of splenic macrophages to kill intracellular E. coli. Cultural and histopathologic results indicated that virulent E. coli resisted trapping and killing by macrophages of spleen and liver.

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