TABLE 1.
PCR detection of the presence of B. burgdorferi DNA in selected tissues and arthritis development in ankles of control (IgG-treated) and anti-NK1.1 MAb-treated micea
| Strain (no. tested) | Treatment | PCR result
|
Arthritis severity (mean ± SD) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heart | Ear | Ankle | |||
| DBA (3) | None | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0.7 ± 0.6 |
| C3H.NK (5) | Rat IgG | 5 | 4 | 5 | 2.0 ± 1.0b |
| Anti-NK1.1 MAb | 5 | 4 | 5 | 2.0 ± 1.0b | |
a
Mice were infected with 106 B. burgdorferi spirochetes and sacrificed at 28 days. PCR results are presented as number of specimens positive for B. burgdorferi. Tibiotarsal arthritis development was scored on a scale from 0 to 3.
b
Arthritis severity scores were significantly higher in C3H.NK mice than in DBA mice (P < 0.05).