Ultrastructural changes in smooth muscle cells of the small intestine in suckling rabbits with experimental cholera.

Ultrastructural study of the small intestine in suckling rabbits with experimental cholera revealed involvement of the inner and outer smooth muscle layers into the pathological process. Smooth muscle cells were characterized by vacuolar and fatty degeneration and focal colliquative necrosis. Apoptosis played little role in gastrointestinal motility disturbances. The presence of considerable amounts of fluid in intestinal loops reflects peristaltic dysfunction due to generalized damage to smooth muscle cells.