ELEVATION OF IMMUNOGLOBULIN DEPOSITION IN THE SYNOVIAL-MEMBRANE OF DOGS WITH CRANIAL CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RUPTURE

Synovial membrane biopsies were collected from 32 dogs with spontaneou s cranial cruciate ligament rupture and seven control dogs. The subcla sses of immunoglobulins in the synovial membrane of both the diseased and control dogs were examined with immunohistochemistry in combinatio n with image analysis. IgG deposition was four-fold higher and IgM was eight-fold higher in dogs with spontaneous cranial crucial ligament ( CrCL) rupture. These findings support the theory that there is an immu ne component to die inflammation associated with canine CrCL rupture. Further investigation is required to determine if these immune or infl ammatory responses in CrCL rupture joints are the primary factor in li gament rupture or if they develop secondary to ligament rupture and in stability. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.