Morpho-functional patterns of kidney injury in the experimental leptospirosis of the guinea-pig (L. icterohaemorrhagiae).

Thirty-seven guinea-pigs experimentally infected with a virulent strain of L. icterohaemorrhagiae, were submitted to a renal function study as evaluated through the maximal urinary concentration (MUC) test, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and afterwards had their kidneys examined by light and electron microscopy. Vascular changes were also studied after the administration of colloidal carbon as a marker. Through the MUC test and BUN determination, two groups of tubulo-interstitial lesions can be visualised, one in animals without renal sufficiency, manifested chiefly by cell edema with RE dilation and another, in animals with renal insufficiency, characterised not only by marked cell edema and mitochondrial changes, but also by proximal tubule regenerative aspects without overt tubular necrosis. Interstitial edema and focal nephritis was prominent in both groups, a finding which minimises their role in the pathogenesis of renal failure in experimental leptospirosis. Vascular injury, affecting the vessels of the renal microcirculation chiefly at the cortico-medular junction, was observed in both groups. Its severity and extension ran parallel to the intensity of the tubular injury. This suggests a simultaneous action of a noxious agent liberated by the leptospires over both structures, tubular damage being accentuated by the local circulatory changes.