Experimental amoebic meningoencephalitis: light microscopic and ultrastructure studies in mice

ABSTRACT

Heamorrhagic meningoencephalitis was found in the animals which died in 5-7 days post infection. The olfactory lobes and the base of the frontal lobes were congested and full of pus. Gray and white matter were both affected and were invaded with macrophages and leukocytes. Trophozoites were located between the neurons and adjacent to blood vessels. Ultrastructural study showed some amoebae with evidence of vigorous motility and feeding abilities. Erythrocytes and portions of myelin were seen within amoebae. The whole picture of the disease was similar to that observed in man which makes the mice an excellent model for further understanding of the disease