Disseminated amyloidosis in germfree mice. Spontaneous prevalence, relationship to ionizing radiation and pathogenetic implications.

Spontaneous amyloidosis was noted in a significant number of germfree mice in comparison with their conventional contemporaries. The adjusted prevalence of this disease was increased in both groups by whole-body exposure at 6 weeks of age to 700 rad of ionizing radiation. The germfree groups demonstrated persistent hypogammaglobulinemia throughout their lifespans and no evidence of significant inflammatory processes at necropsy. The possible interpretation of these observations is discussed and it is concluded that defective or deficient immunoglobulin production may be the essential prerequisite for the development of amyloidosis.