Extracerebral infections of Acanthamoeba spp. in mice. Pathomorphological changes in tissues of infected animals

A variety of Acanthamoeba spp. pathogenic strains were isolated from water pools in the area of Poznań. In many cases amoebae invaded lugs, kidney heart, liver and diaphragm causing significant changes in these Organs. The presence of amoeba outside of CNS was found mainly in the early periods of infection. Amoeba isolated from different organs of dead animals did not exhibit any specificity in relation to the organs in following infections. Infection with both low-and high-virulent strains resulted in pathomorphological changes of similar character. However, changes induced by low-virulent parasites developed later and were less extensive.