Inoculation of pigs with Streptococcus spp. isolated from arthritic porcine joints

The intricacies of the serological grouping of streptococci are discussed. The pathogenicity and accurate classification of streptococci isolated from arthritic porcine joints were in doubt. Pure cultures of these isolates were inoculated intravenously into healthy pigs to ascertain their pathogenicity and in an attempt to fulfil Koch's postulates. The pathogenesis of streptococcal arthritis in swine is discussed. On intravenous inoculation into experimental pigs the streptococcal isolates showed varying degrees of pathogenicity and arthritogenesis.