Rheumatic tissues in antibiotic-free tissue culture.

In the course of studies on the aetiology of rheumatic fever, a number of biopsied rheumatic tissues have been grown in antibiotic-free tissue culture systems, with nonrheumatic tissues as controls. Kuttner (1958) attempted, without success, to demonstrate a viral agent in left atrial appendage grown in media containing antibiotics. Weiss, Florio, and Lewis (1958) grew heart and skin from rheumatic patients in media containing streptococcal filtrates, with some evidence of a cytopathogenic effect. Antibiotics were also used in the media in these studies. In the present investigation no antibiotics were used, so that any bacterial agent, particularly haemolytic streptococci or their L forms could be demonstrated if present.