Hematologic changes in chronic arthritis of mice induced by Mycoplasma arthritidis.

The arthritis caused by iv injection of M. arthritidis in mice was found to be associated with neutrophilia and lymphopenia without a change in the total WBC concentration. A mild anemia developed which was characterized by hypoferremia and plentiful RE iron but with an increased plasma total iron-binding capacity. This anemia therefore differs from the anemia of chronic disorders and indeed from any anemia which occurs in man.