Pathology of experimental Trypanosoma evansi infection in rabbits

Histopathological examination of tissue sections from the organs of rabbits experimentally infected with Trypanosoma evansi revealed evidence of a vigorous immunological response. Changes in the spleen, lymph nodes, vulva, eyelids and ears indicated a protective immune response, but changes in the kidneys, lungs and heart were destructive in nature and capable of causing sudden death of the host. Hepatic damage capable of interfering with the host's immune response was also observed. The presence of many parasites in the vulval tissue calls for further investigation into the possibility of sexual transmission of T. evansi.