[The dynamic morphological changes in the joints of rats with experimental infection caused by Streptococcus group B].

A single intraperitoneal administration of the group B streptococci results, within one year, in the development of degenerative changes of the joint cartilage with its destruction and moderate inflammation of the synovial membranes. Local immune responses supported by persistent streptococci in the synovial and joint connective tissue are followed by strengthening of the interaction between the cells the manifestation of which are the intercellular cytoplasmatic "bridges" in the synovial membrane and cell pairs of lymphocytes with connective tissue cells of the joint capsule. The changes described resemble those observed in chronic infectious arthritis.