Abstract
Summary
1) Normal rabbits injected intra-articularly (i.a.) with 0.5 ml Duck Anti-Rabbit Kidney Serum (DARKS) twice weekly for 6 weeks developed a progressive monoarthritis following a latent period averaging 10 weeks. Control rabbits treated similarly with Normal Duck Serum (NDS) failed to develop arthritis. 2) Rabbits with a remote history of immunization against duck serum developed an accelerated arthritis within one week following i.a. injections of either DARKS or NDS. 3) Nonimmunized animals preconditioned with isotonic NaCl or KC1 given instead of drinking water, developed accelerated arthritis within 2 to 4 weeks following i.a. injections not only of DARKS but of normal duck, calf or horse serum as well. 4) Circulating anti-duck serum precipitins always preceded development of arthritis induced by i.a. injections of duck serum. 5) The arthritic changes consisted of villous hypertrophy and infiltration of the synovium with lymphocytes and plasma cells. This was followed by fibrinoid necrosis of the synovium and articular cartilage and by formation in the joint cavity of an exudate of proteinaceous material, round cells and polymorphonuclear leukocytes.
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