Experimental induction of rheumatoid factor and joint lesions in rabbits after intravenous injections of killed bacteria.

Rabbits receiving repeated intravenous injections of killed bacteria (Escherichia coli or Bacillus subtilis) developed IgM rheumatoid factor which reacted with autologous heat-aggregated IgG. In addition, 5/7 'Old English' and 7/8 'Sandy Lop' rabbits receiving killed E. coli developed rheumatoid-like synovial lesions. 'Old English' rabbits developed lesions of a more severe nature. Three of eight 'Sandy Lop' rabbits injected with killed B. subtilis had high levels of rheumatoid factor but only mild joint lesions.