Pathogenic Pleuropneumonia-Like Microörganisms in Tissues of Normal Mice and Isolation of New Immunological Types

Abstract

Summary

Pathogenic microörganisms of the mouse pleuro-pneumonia group in addition to being present in the conjunctiva and nasal mucosa may often be found in the brain and occasionally also in the trachea and lung of normal carrier mice. They were not found in the heart blood, liver, spleen, kidneys or in the intestinal contents. The carrier state is probably the result of contact infection and has been demonstrated as early as the 5th day of life and later than 6 months. Two new, immunologically distinct types (D and E) have been isolated; they produce arthritis but not the neurotropic exotoxin which thus far has been found to be elaborated only by the type A strains.