EXPERIMENTAL TOXICITY OF Aeromonas spp. IN MOUSE'S SMALL INTESTINE: ULTRASTRUCTURAL ASPECTS

ultrastructural aspects of mouse small intestinal tissue cultures infected with Aeromonas spp. strains are described. High resolution light and transmission electron microscopy were used to assess the bacterial pathogenic mechanism, the ultrastructural changes that take place during the colonization of the intestinal tract and the interaction of Aeromonas spp. with the host epithelium. After 24h of culture, chains of vesicles were seen on the outer surface of the Aeromonas' membrane. The vesicles were also found on the enterocyte surface. After 48h of culture, lysis of the epithelial intestinal cells, mononu-clear phagocytic cells, phagocytic eosinophils and phagocyted Aeromonas were observed.