Pulmonary pathohistological changes in mice in experimental infection with Pneumocystis carinii.

The infection Pneumocystis carinii was activated in mice of closely related BALBc/AnNCR, C57BL/6 and DBA/2 strains applying various doses of hydro-cortisone-acetate in combination with hypoprotein or complete food. The males of all investigated strains showed to be more sensitive than the females and the longest survived mice of C57BL/6 strain. The character of pathohistological pulmonary changes varied depending on the duration of survival. The mature cyst forms of Pneumocystis carinii were confirmed in tissue applying GMS and PAP method, and intracystic sporozoite by GMS staining.