Polyarteritis Nodosa: The Natural History of a Spontaneously Occurring Model in Outbred Mice

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Abstract
Summary: Spontaneous arteritis resembling the chronic form of the human disease polyartiritis nodosa occurred in up to 60% of outbred PN mice. The lesions were similar in histology and distribution to peri‐arteritis nodosa as described by Kussmaul and Maier, the marked round cell infiltration occurring in 80% of mice at 18 months being the main difference from the human disease. Perivascular cuffing of renal vessels invariably preceded the arteritis, the frequency of which did not appear to be influenced by lymphoma, chronic virus pneumonia or amyloidosis. There was a significant association with antinuclear antibodies and a low incidence of red cell antibody, but no evidence of haemolytic anaemia. The possibility that this disease is due to a chronic virus infection is discussed.