Subacute and Chronic Trichloroethylene Poisoning: A Neuropathological Study in Rabbits

Abstract

Rabbits were given trichloroethylene parenterally in a subacute trial lasting for 29 days and in a chronic trial lasting from 41 to 247 days. Behaviour, body weight and sedimentation rate were followed. The rabbits were killed at different times during the trial and the brains examined histologically and histochemically for any pathological changes. Moderate changes in the form of diffuse chronic‐ischaemic or toxic nerve cell damage in the majority of the cranial nerve nuclei, in the Gasserian ganglion, the cerebellar cortex were demonstrated as well as increased neuronal acid phosphatase activity. However, no severe neurological disturbances and no changes in the sedimentation rate were noted. The clinically known neurological and/or psychic derangements in humans are discussed in relation to the present pathological findings in rabbits.