Histopathological findings of S. aureus-inoculated rabbit jointson the7 th day post inoculation
Lane 8 showing group 2 with destructive and septic arthritis beside presence of fibrillation (curved arrow), ostiomalacia and pannus formation (arrows) (5X). Lane 9 showing group 2 with replacement of the superficial and transitional zones of articular cartilage by eosinophilic and basophilic materials (thick arrow) (10X). Lane 10 showing group 2 with cellular proliferation with large areas of inflammatory exudates mainly neutrophils (arrowhead) and fibrin threads in synovial membrane (40X). Lanes 11 and 12 showing group 2 with articular surfaces showing smooth flattened chondrocytes in superficial zone and apparently normal chondrocytes in mid (arrowhead) and deep zones beside mild synovitis (arrow) (10, 40X). Lanes 13 and 14 showing group 5 with reduced area of pannus formation (arrow) and apparently normal histomorphological structures of superficial, mid, and deep zones of chondrocytes at the articular joints (5, 10X)(H&E staining).