Pathogenesis of contagious streptococcal lymphadenitis in cats.

Transmission and pathogenesis studies were undertaken in cats inoculated orally with Lancefield group G beta-hemolytic streptococci. These bacteria, which had been isolated from cats during a natural episode of lymphadenitis, rapidly colonized the tonsils of inoculated cats and disseminated along lymphatic channels. Acute purulent inflammation of lymph nodes on the head and neck was followed by toxemia, which coincided with pyrexia and other signs of clinical illness.