Experimental Yersinia-associated arthritis in the spontaneously hypertensive rat

Infection and arthritis

Reactive arthritis is caused by an infection, and components of the triggering agent can be demonstrated at the site of inflammation. This fact has opened new views in studies regarding other rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. The possible role of infectious agents in their etiology and pathogenesis is being re-evaluated.

Variability in the induction of experimental arthritis: Yersinia associated arthritis in Lewis rats

Lewis rats of different microbiological status were studied for susceptibility to experimentally-induced Yersinia associated arthritis. Status A rats were serologically positive for Bacillus piliformis, Kilham rat virus and Toolan H-1 virus, whereas status B rats were serologically negative for these same microorganisms. When status A and status B rats were kept in the same room, incidence of arthritis was low (0-13% for status A rats and 27-33% for status B rats). When status B rats only were kept in different environments, increased incidence (up to 89%) of arthritis was observed. These findings suggest that the microbiological status of the host has an effect on the susceptibility to experimentally-induced arthritis. They call attention to the need for strictly defined conditions, including those of the host and the environment, in studies on experimental arthritides.