Harderian gland dacryoadenitis in rats resulting from orbital bleeding.

Localized necrotizing inflammation of the Harderian gland was a sequela to obtaining blood samples from rats by the orbital bleeding technique. The lesion affected a few adjoining lobules that were adjacent to ocular muscles, in contrast to the widespread inflammation of the Harderian gland which results from sialodacryoadenitis virus infection. Lesions resolved in 4 weeks by atrophy of acini in affected lobules with associated mononuclear cell inflammation and fibrosis.