[Experimental study of the role of L-forms of hemolytic streptococci in infectious pathology].

Rabbits were infected by intraperitoneal implantation of a chamber with the L-forms of hemolytic streptococcus. Experiments demonstrated that no symptoms of an acute disease followed. Antibodies against the L-form was revealed in the blood serum in low titres. Cardiac valves, particularly the mitral, were affected in all the experiments animals. Histological study showed that changes in the tissues of the heart approched the rheumatic ones by special signs. L-forms were isolated (in the cultures) from the implanted chamber and the blood for up to 15 days after the infection.