Endothelial tissue pathological alterations demonstrated in mice naturally infected with Sarcocystis.

Comparative electron microscopical study showed a spectrum of cytopathological changes ranging from exudative to obstructive inflammation of the vascular endothelium in mice naturally infected with Sarcocystis. The endothelial cells changes were characteristic of necrotizing vasculitis and ischaemic injury indicating loss of metabolic integrity and impaired perfusion. Signs of chronic inflammation and reflecting macrophage-lymphocyte interaction were also evident. The fact that the endothelial affection was not a consistent feature in all infected mice, indicates that such cytopathological alterations may often be temporary and repairable or more likely they are genetically predisposed.