Duodenal adenomas in Balb/-c mice monoinfected with Clostridium perfringens.

ABSTRACT

An outbreak of disease in multiparous females occurred in one isolator in a colony of Balb/-c germ-free mice. The affected isolator had been accidentally contaminated with Copyright Clostridium perfringens. Gross and histological examination of the diseased mice revealed lesions in the lungs, heart and intestinal tract. Lesions in the valvular endocardium and vascular walls were closely associated with bacterial colonies and septic thrombi containing Gram-positive rods. C perfringens type B was recovered in pure culture from the faeces, intestinal contents and atrial thrombi of the sick mice. Intestinal lesions varied, depending on the region of the intestine. The ileum showed shortened villi and ulceration of the mucosa. The duodenum of all the affected mice showed microscopic foci of polypoid adenomatous growth of the crypt epithelium. The significance of these unusual neoplastic lesions is discussed in the context of the growing evidence of an association between cell growth and bacterial cell products.