Delayed Cutaneous Reactions in the Rat

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Abstract
Summary: Typical delayed skin reactions to tuberculin were elicited in rats sensitized by footpad injection of killed tubercle bacilli in oil. Their similarity to classical delayed reactions in guinea pig or rabbit is demonstrated by their identical time course, characteristic histologic appearance and passive transfer with sensitized lymph node cells. Similar reactions were obtained after sensitization with Nocardia asteroides in oil, OT in incomplete Freund's adjuvant or BSA in complete adjuvant. These were indurated reactions made up largely of mononuclear infiltrates in the deep dermis and subcutaneous tissues, maximal at 24 to 48 hr. This location of the lesions is correlated with the distribution of vessels of venous type.