The production of arthritis in beagles by an immunological reaction to bovine serum albumin

Arthritis was produced in beagles by the immunological reaction to bovine serum albumin (BSA). Dogs immunized with BSA showed the development of delayed type-hypersensitivity response to BSA and the significant increase in the titer of serum anti-BSA antibodies. The development of arthritis and the increase in a number of nucleated cells in synovial fluid were observed by the injection with BSA into the knee joints of immunized dogs. The synovial membrane of BSA-injected joints revealed a remarkable villous hyperplasia of membrane, and an infiltration of lymphocytes and plasma cells around vessels, resulting in a lymphoid nodule-like formation. The depositions of IgG and C3 on the surface of the synovial membrane were also observed in BSA-injected joints. Histopathological and immunopathological findings indicated that the immune response to BSA in the knee joints could induce a rheumatoid arthritis like chronic synovitis in dogs.