[Interaction of Leptospira with the host's body in the infectious process in guinea pigs].

In experiments on guinea pigs the pathogenicity of leptospires is manifested by their adhesion to liver cells, colonization of the surface of these cells, accumulation of leptospires in the renal interstice and their colonization of the nephrothelial surface of proximal convoluted tubules in the kidneys, by toxic microcirculatory disturbances, dystrophy and necrosis of nephrothelial cells. Then the primary toxic action of circulating leptospires, microcirculatory disturbances and hemorrhagic syndrome augment during the colonization of the surface of liver cells, accompanied by their dystrophy and dissociation, as well as by jaundice. The accumulation of leptospires in the renal interstice and their subsequent multiplication on the nephrothelium of the proximal convoluted tubules are responsible for the development of interstitial nephritis and necrotic nephrosis. The persistence of lesions in the liver and kidneys, occurring in some cases in spite of elimination of the infective agent from these organs due to increasing antibody production suggests the toxic action of immune complexes.