[Development of delayed hypersensitivity in rats with streptococcal myocarditis and arthritis]

The authors induced streptococcal myocarditis and arthritis in rats by means of three methods. They proved the development of late hypersensitivity in the experimental animals by determining skin sensitivity and by transfer of lymphocytes and leucocytes from animals with myocarditis and arthritis of healthy recipients. The maximal percentage of animals with late hypersensitivity was obtained in the groups, in whom leucocytes from rats with arthritis were transfered. The arthritis was caused by administration of alive streptococcal culture (at 14 days intervals) three times. Recipients of leucocytes from rats with adjuvant arthritis and streptococci were next. The smallest percentage of successful transfer of late hypersensitivity was obtained in recipients of leucocytes, isolated from animals with streptococcal arthritis and myocarditis, induced after single contamination with alive streptococcal culture.