EXPERIMENTAL ESCHERICHIA-COLI ARTHRITIS IN RABBIT - MODEL OF INFECTIOUS AND POST-INFECTIOUS INFLAMMATORY SYNOVITIS

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 4  (2) , 118-128
Abstract
Rabbit knee joints challenged with Escherichia coli 06 underwent a self-limited infection lasting several weeks followed by a prolonged post-infectious inflammatory arthritis. The E. coli used did not possess collagenolytic activity, nor did a variety of common aerobic clinical isolates. Articular cartilage destruction occurred by 2 basically different mechanisms: direct invasion of pannus at the juxtaarticular margins and fibrillation in cartilage to cartilage contact areas. Weekly measurements of intra-articular pH and temperature were correlated with bacteriologic findings and gross and microscopic pathologic events.