Basement membrane in hepatic coccidiosis of the rabbit

Abstract

The changes of the basement membrane of intrahepatic bile ducts in the evolution and regression of the papillomatous reaction induced by Eimeria stiedae were studied on 40 young rabbits using a histological and immunofluorescent methods. The results showed that a PAS-positive basement membrane could be demonstrated in the early stages of the papillomatous transformation and that its thickness increased remarkably in the fully developed stage of papillomatous evolution which paralleled the active stage of gametogony. The membrane usually remained thickened throughout the course of epithelial regression and regeneration. There was a localization of fluoro-conjugated goat and anti-rabbit globulin immunoglobulin in the thickened basement membranes beginning at the early stage of gametogony. This evidence suggests that progressive thickening of the basement membranes of the infected bile ducts was mainly aimed at supporting the hyperplastic papillary epithelium and the altered basement membrane after degeneration and/or necrosis of the infected papillary epithelium in the stage of regression assisted the orientation of the newly formed epithelial cells in the process of healing. There is no convincing evidence that a thickened basement membrane or a deposition of globulin as such could strengthen the local defence mechanism to any significant extent.