Evaluation of the inbred mouse as a model for experimental Treponema pallidum infection.

Mice of several inbred strains were studied for responses to Treponema pallidum (Nichols). Mice were injected with viable treponemes and observed daily for the presence of lesions or signs of illness. Although none of the mice developed detectable lesions, they did develop specific anti-T. pallidum antibodies that were observed as early as 21 days after inoculation with viable T. pallidum. The antibodies were detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and by passive haemagglutination.