[Ultrastructural changes in atria dna small intestines of suckling rabbits in experimental cholera].

10-12-day old suckling rabbits received intragastrically culture of V. eltor 5879 and the resultant ultrastructural changes in the small intestine, atrial cardiomyocytes and capillaries were studied. In the period of cholera vibrio adhesion (4 hours after the culture administration) epithelial cells underwent hydropic degeneration. Degenerative changes due to cell vacuolization and contractile alterations were noted in cardiomyocytes of both atria. The atrial Na-uretic factor secretion prevailed over its synthesis in line with increased vascular permeability. The development of experimental cholera (on day 1-2) was characterized by balloon degeneration in the small intestinal epithelium. Numerous secretory granules were formed in the atrial cardiomyocytes without releasing peptides into the circulation. These changes are of compensatory nature and serve for liquid retention in the body. Microcirculatory disturbances take place at three levels: intravascular, endothelial and perivascular.