Studies on the effect of systemic administration of sensitizers in guinea-pigs with contact sensitivity to inorganic metal compounds. 3. The effect of immunosuppressive agents on enhancing the unresponsiveness of already sensitized animals and an investigation of the action of the epicutaneous test within twenty-four hours.

  • 1 April 1969
    • journal article
    • Vol. 4  (4) , 423-34
Abstract
Permanent specific immunological unresponsiveness can be produced in guinea-pigs already sensitive to K2Cr2O7 by the combination of an intravenous injection of 20 mg/kg K2Cr2O7 and an epicutaneous contact with K2Cr2O7 within 24 hr; 2 mg/kg K2Cr2O7 produces only temporary desensitization. Methotrexate and cyclophosphamide for 1 week at the time of the intravenous injection increased the intensity of the suppression but did not prolong the unresponsiveness. Anti-thymocyte serum alone had no effect. A combination of cyclophosphamide and anti-thymocyte serum for 1 week at the time of the intravenous injection prolonged the unresponsiveness for 2 months, but the animals regained sensitivity by 3 months. The addition of prednisolone to this combination, reduced the duration of unresponsiveness produced by a combination of the specific sensitizer, cyclophosphamide and anti-thymocyte serum.