Abstract
The infecting organisms coagulase-positive staphylococcus aureus were injected into the knee joints of rabbits to produce experimental pyogenic arthritis. These were sacrificed in groups of three at intervals of 15 and 30 minutes, of 4. and 24 hours and of 3, 7, 14 and 28 days after intra-articular injection. No organisms were detectable after 14 days in joint fluid, but the destruction of articular cartilage progressed, and the inflammatory synovitis continued after the absence of infection. This study also confirmed the pathological changes of the articular cartilage by the invasive pannus at the early stage of infection.
