Allergic starch peritonitis in the guinea-pig.

An experimental starch peritonitis in guinea-pigs previously immunized with starch glove powder and Freund's complete adjuvant is described. After peritoneal challenge by 10 mg starch glove powder, 22 per cent of the animals developed florid omental granulomas resembling those found in some patients with post-operative glove powder peritonitis. It is suggested that delayed hypersensitivity to a component of the glove powder may be responsible for the clinical features of starch peritonitis in man.