ABSTRACT
A histopatological study was conducted in guinea pigs inoculated experimentally with a Burkholderia mallei strain isolated from equides from farms located in Pernambuco State, Brazil. The microbiological aspects of diagnosis of glanders in horses from these farms also were studied. The B. mallei strain was obtained from nasal discharge and aspirated fluids from closed subcutaneous nodules from horses with clinical signs of glanders. The material was collected and transferred to a sterile-screw-capped tube for transport to the laboratory where bacterial isolation and biochemical tests were carried out. For the clinical and histopathological study 5 groups with 12 male guinea pigs were used to verify the injuries caused by B. mallei. During the course of the study (1-10 days post-infection) clinical evaluation was carried out in all animals. At each 48h 2 inoculated animals were euthanaized and samples from lungs, liver, spleen, kidney and testis were collected to verify gross or histologic lesions. Strauss test was positive in all animals 48h. Gross examination showed pulmonary, liver and testis injuries characterized by congestion and hemorrhages of lungs, liver abscess and changes of vaginal layer varied from vaginalitis to hemorrhages in this tissue. Microscopic lesions were observed in liver, kidney and especially in testis with the pyogranulom located not only in the albuhin but also in vaginal layer degenerative changes.
KEY WORDS
Glanders;
Burkholderia mallei
; experimental infection;
Cavia porcellus
; clinical; patology