Pathogenesis of lymphoid lesions in murine experimental listeriosis

Adult female Swiss albino mice were infected intraperitoneally or subcutaneously with Listeria monocytogenes Serovar 4b or 1/2a and killed at intervals. Thymus, spleen, Peyer's patches and a variety of lymph nodes, including the jejunal (mesenteric), mediastinal, lumbar, mandibular and superficial inguinal, were examined by histopathology and by immunocytochemistry for detection of L. monocytogenes antigen. Similar results were obtained with both Serovars and by both routes of inoculation used. In the spleen, L. monocytogenes was detected, by immunoperoxidase staining, as soon as 4 h after inoculation, inside phagocytic cells located predominantly in the marginal zone of the white pulp. This was followed by inflammation, necrosis and depletion of lymphoid cells, which extended in extreme cases to the whole organ. Inflammatory lesions diminished progressively at 5 to 6 days after inoculation. In animals dying of the infection, a severe necrotizing splenitis was present. Depletion of lymphoid cells and inflammatory changes were widespread in the lymph nodes and to a lesser extent in the Peyer's patches. An extensive necrotizing lymphadenitis was the prominent lesion in severely affected nodes. Inflammatory lesions and detection of L. monocytogenes antigen started around the venules of high endothelium. A thymus depletion, not associated with the multiplication of bacteria in the organ, was also a constant feature of the infection. This study suggests that L. monocytogenes (1) is transported to the spleen and to the lymph nodes by phagocytes, entering the organs by the marginal sinus in the spleen and by the venules of high endothelium in the lymph nodes; (2) multiplies in these cells as well as in neutrophilic granulocytes (the latter rapidly migrate to the affected zones); and (3) induce a splenitis and lymphadenitis, involving predominantly T cell-dependent areas, with a necrotizing component in severe cases. From our observations it is concluded that infection of the lymphoid system is a major feature in the pathogenesis of murine listeriosis.