Experimental nickel sensitization in the guinea pig: comparison of different protocols

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Abstract
Three different sensitization protocols were compared for inducing delayed-type Ni contact hypersensitivity in guinea pigs. Open epicutaneous sensitization (OE) induced Ni allergy in 11/22 (50%) guinea pigs. When intradermal injections of Freund''s complete adjuvant into the Ni-painted skin was added to the same protocol, 4/13 (31%) became sensitized. The guinea pig maximization protocol induced Ni allergy in only 7/31 (23%) of the animals. Compared with the 2 other methods, animals sensitized with OE applications reacted more rapidly (maximum at 6 h) and strongly (2+ reaction in 12/22 of animals) in previous patch test sites upon systemic (i.p.) Ni challenge. OE sensitization of guinea pigs should be a useful model for studying cellular and immunological mechanisms in Ni contact sensitivity.