INDIGENOUS MICROFLORA CLOSTRIDIA LIKE ORGANISM IN THE LIVER TISSUE

A histopathological study was carried out on fifty dogs liver killed by electric shock to determine the incidence, severity of infection and tissue reaction in animals harbouring clostridia without apparent clinical disease. For this purpose, Paraffin sections from the liver were stained with Heigert haematoxylin and eosin as well as four bacterial stains. The results revealed the occurrence of clostridia in eight cases (16%). The microorganisms appeared in the form of sporulated bacilli that occurred either single or in pairs but never in chains. They were mostly located in the connective tissue of the portal triads between the hepatic columns, and in the lumen of the blood vessels. These microorganisms were never seen intracellular. Changes in the hepatic tissue were in the form of degeneration of variable degree, fibrinoid changes of the portal connective tissue, and necrosis of the endothelial lining of the partal and central veins.It has been suggested that clostridia were not merely passing through the liver but this microorganism was actually colonise this organ. Harris haematoxylin and eosin and methyl green-pyronin stains were recommended for demonstration of clostridia in the liver tissue.