Ultrastructural study of clostridial myositis
Demello, F.J.; Anderson, W.R.; Hitchcock, C.R.; Haglin, J.J.
Archives of Pathology 97(2): 118-125
1974
ISSN/ISBN: 0363-0153 PMID: 4358598 Document Number: 77187
Clostridial myositis, simulating the clinical disease, was experimentally induced in guinea-pigs by the intramuscular injection of spores of Clostridium perfringens type A. The fine structure of altered tissues occurring in the acute stages of infection was evaluated and correlated with the progressive germination and out-growth of spores. These appeared to release toxic substances injurious to tissues in very early stages, evidenced by altered mitochondria and gaps within the plasma membrane occurring within one hour following spore inoculation. These changes were progressive and paralleled the severity of infection. Degenerative changes were far advanced and irreversible within four hours of inoculation. Both plasma and basement membranes were denuded over large areas of altered muscle fibres. Degenerative mitochondrial changes were of severe proportions, and contractile units disclosed widespread disarrangement and fragmentation.