Chronic arthritis of rabbits induced by mycoplasmas II.antibody response and the deposition of immune complexes

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Abstract
Chronic mycoplasma-induced arthritis of rabbits was accompanied by a highly active humoral immune response. Peak antibody liters coincided with the “disappearance” of mycoplasmas from joint tissues at 7 weeks. High synovial fluid antibody liters and immuno-globulin-producing cells in frozen sections of synovial membrane suggested local antibody production. Persistence of granular deposits containing IgG and complement in synovium and cartilage may be a mechanism for continuing inflammation in the apparent absence of cultivable mycoplasmas.