Experimental scleroma. A histopathological study.

Klebsilla rhinoscleromatis suspension was experimentally inoculated into the nose and maxillary sinus of eight adult healthy rabbits. Two normal litter-mates served as controls. The animals were killed at varying intervals up to five months following the inoculation. Histopathological examination of the upper and lower respiratory tracts revealed a consistent pulmonary peribronchial and perivascular granulomatous reaction with a Mikulic cell-like appearance. The reaction was present in all the inoculated rabbits and increased in severity as the survival period was prolonged. The significance of these findings in the aetiopathogenesis of scleroma and to scleroma in humans is discussed.