Cultivation of Treponema pallidum in subcutaneous chambers implanted in golden hamsters

Treponema pallidum was successfully grown in subcutaneous chambers in golden hamsters. Abnormally long forms of T. pallidum were found in these chambers. The cause of this abnormality may possibly be due to their being coated with antibody which could inhibit cell division or render the organism avirulent or both. T. pallidum was successfully passaged between hamsters but with a possible diminution in virulence.