Histology-based mechanical comparisons

G’ of spleen samples with microscopic signs of inflammation was not significantly different from samples without inflammatory cells (Welch’s test; t(15.50) = 2.12, p = 0.051), however, they showed significant differences in regard to G’’ (Welch’s test; t(25.76) = 4.08, p < 0.001) and G* (Welch’s test; t(16.64) = 2.39, p = 0.029). Neither of the measured rheological properties differed significantly between samples with mild and severe fibrosis (Welch’s test; G’: (t(19.75) = 0.24, p = 0.811); G’’: (t(6.29) = 1.41, p = 0.206); G*: (t(12.51) = 0.29, p = 0.775). The rheological properties of samples with and without blood congestion were not significantly different (Welch’s test; G’: (t(25.96) = 1.34, p = 0.191); G’’: U = 67.5, p = 0.230; G*: (t(24.99) = 1.45, p = 0.160). Representative images of the microscopic investigation are shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 4: Representative images of the microscopic investigation of the tested spleen samples are shown. (A) Blood congestion is absent. (B) The pulp is congested with erythrocytes. (C) Fibrous tissue can be detected