Histopathologic evaluation of livers of pregnant hamsters infected with Leptospira canicola

Pregnant hamsters were inoculated with Leptospira canicola by an intraperitoneal route. Grossly, the livers were enlarged and pale yellow. On light microscopic examination, disruption of the hepatic cords, as well as granulation of hepatocyte cytoplasm, was evident. On electron microscopic examination, the livers had evidence of severe cellular degradation as early as post-inoculation hour (PIH) 24. At PIH 96, pathologic changes were more pronounced. The rough endoplasmic reticulum was swollen and there was membrane disruption. These changes were not observed in the livers of control animals. In addition, livers of the fetuses at PIH 72 exhibited severe degenerative changes.