Antigenic cross-reactions between Mycoplasma arthritidis and rat tissues.

An antigenic relationship between Mycoplasma arthritidis and rat tissues could be demonstrated using the enzyme-immune assay and the agar gel double diffusion test. Cross-reactions were observed with joint homogenates as well as with muscle, lung, liver, kidney, spleen and brain tissue from rats. In addition, antibodies against joint homogenate were found in the sera of rats infected with M. arthritidis ISR 1 using the indirect hemagglutination test. The significance of common antigens between M. arthritidis and rat tissues for the pathogenesis of the M. arthritidis polyarthritis in rats is discussed.