Live Mycoplasma synoviae cells in agar base medium were inoculated intravenously into 10 2-week-old chickens. Joint tissues were collected over a 3-week period for light and transmission electron microscopy. In infected chickens, membrane-bound vacuoles of intact M. synoviae cells were seen in the cytoplasm of adipose cells. Cytoplasmic lipid-containing inclusions had accumulated in enlarged fibroblasts in tendon sheaths and loose connective tissue. Synovial cells had proliferated and contained increased amounts of granular endoplasmic reticulum and lipid inclusions. No abnormalities were seen in control chickens. Infected chickens were positive and control chickens were negative for rheumatoid factor activity by two serological tests: tanned cell hemagglutination and latex agglutination tests.
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