RADIOLOGICAL AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS IN INDUCED SEPTIC ARTHRITIS IN CALVES

Infectious arthritis of tarsal joint was induced by intra-articular in oculation of Streptococcus pyogenes organisms in 24 calves divided int o 4 groups of 6 animals each. In groups 2, 3 and 4, treatment commence d from day 11 post-infection and comprised parenteral and intra-articu lar specific antibiotic, joint lavage and autogenous (group 3) and hom ogenous (group 4) synovial fluid transfer, group 1 served as control. On radiological examination, new bone formation at malleolus and hyper vascularity of fibrous joint capsule seen in control group, were not o bserved in treatment groups. The gross and histopathological changes i n articular cartilages and synovial membranes were more intense in con trol group than those of treatment groups. Mild histopathological lesi ons in both, synovial membrane and articular cartilages persisted even after the complete remission of the clinical symptoms. No marked diff erence between different treatment groups could be seen on the basis o f radiological and histopathological examination.