Abstract
As one phase of a study of disease in wild life, various animals and birds have been tested for susceptibility to tularemia. Included in the group tested is the muskrat. The muskrats utilized in this work were caught in the wild and kept in captivity for a period longer than 6 months. They were under observation in the laboratory for a period of 2 months previous to the inoculation and appeared to thrive.
Muskrat 1. Inoculated subcutaneously 4-20-28, with spleen of guinea pig dying the previous day from tularemia. Symptoms of illness were present 2 days later. The muskrat died on the fourth day. Necropsy showed enlargement of left inguinal nodes and marked infiltration at the site of inoculation. The liver was studded with fine nodules. The spleen did not show studding. There was no exudate in the pleural or peritoneal cavities.
Guinea pig 1. Inoculated with spleen of muskrat; died on the third day with both inguinal nodes enlarged; spleen and omentum full of nodules.
Guinea pig 2. Inoculated with liver of muskrat; died on the third day with both inguinal nodes enlarged; intensive infiltration over abdomen. Spleen and liver were thickly studded with nodules.
Control guinea pig. Died on the fourth day with findings typical of tularemia.
Muskrat 2. Inoculated subcutaneously 4-20-28, with infective guinea pig spleen. Developed symptoms of illness 2 days later and died on the fourth day. Necropsy showed enlargement of left inguinal nodes and infiltration at the site of inoculation. Spleen was very large and thickly studded with nodules. Pleural and peritoneal exudates were present.
Guinea Fig 1. Inoculated with liver from muskrat; died on the fourth day with enlarged lymph nodes. Spleen and liver thickly studded with nodules.
Guinea Fig 2. Inoculated with peritoneal fluid of muskrat; died on the fourth day, showing enlarged inguinal nodes, with spleen and liver thickly studded with nodules.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.