Clinical microbiological, and histological manifestations of Streptobacillus moniliformis-induced arthritis in mice.

Intravenous inoculation of Streptobacillus moniliformis into mice resulted in an infection in which the predominant feature was progressive polyarthritis that rendered some joints immobile within 6 months. No migration of arthritis from joint to joint or remission and exacerbation were apparent. Viable organisms were apparently removed by the host from blood, liver, and spleen within 28 days post inoculation but persisted in joints for approximately 6 months in some animals. Specific antibody was detectable by complement fixation 7 days post-inoculation and persisted throughout the course of the disease. The inflammatory responses, which was initiated by the appearance of neutrophils in the joint space within 24 h of inoculation, culminated in obliteration of the joint space by fibrosis and exostosis.