The effect of Mycoplasma arthritidis infection on the phagocytic activity of macrophages in rat and mice

The phagocytic activity of mononuclear phagocytes of A/J mice and Wistar rats was estimated by the carbon clearance test following injection of Mycoplasma arthritidis . In mice, the overall phagocytic activity was significantly increased at the end of the first week, but the increase was marginal by the third and fourth weeks after injection. A significant increase in the relative weight of liver and spleen was observed even when phagocytic activity had returned to levels similar to those of controls. In rats, the overall phagocytic activity was significantly increased until the fourth week. There was not, however, an increase in the relative weight of liver and spleen as observed for the mice. The results are discussed in the context of factors contributing to the pathogenic mechanisms responsible for differences in the patterns of arthritis due to mycoplasma observed in mice and rats.