Experimental model of leukemic infiltrative pericarditis reflecting a human disease

In human leukemias, pericarditis may be associated with leukemic pericardial infiltration. In order to obtain more information about the pathogenesis of the leukemic involvement of the pericardium, sterile talc-induced pericarditis was produced in acute lymphoid leukemic male hybrid mice. The animals invariable showed leukemic pericardial infiltration within 14 days. In leukemic mice without any treatment or with intrapericardial physiological NaCl injection (instead of talc), leukemic involvement of the pericardium did not occur.