Pathological findings associated with experimental Mycobaterium bovis infection in rabbits

During the 2^nd week postinoculation of thirteen rabbits with Mycobacterium bovis tuberulosous lesions appeared in the lungs, liver, spleen, kidney, mediastinal and hepatic lymph nodes and in the omentum with an equal distribution in these organs. During the 4th week postinoculation, these tuberculosous lesions increased in size to become well developed granulomas with caseated centeres. These granulomas persisted to the 6th, 8th and 10th weeks postinoculation and became more encapsulated later on. Three rabbits died during the 7th week postinoculation due to generalized tuberculosis.