[The effect of zootoxins on the formation of delayed hypersensitivity].

The effect of bee venom (0.05 and 0.5 mg/kg) and the venom of Vipera lebetina (0.05 and 0.5 mg/kg) on the reaction of delayed hypersensitivity was studied in experiments on CBA mice. The character and trend of the effect was determined by the zootoxin species. The venom of Vipera lebetina completely suppressed the cell immune reaction in a dose of 0.5 mg/kg and produced an adjuvant effect in a dose of 0.05 mg/kg. Bee venom (0.5 mg/kg) failed to cause a suppressive effect and in a small dose (0.05 mg/kg) stimulated cellular immunity. The adjuvant properties of the venoms were comparable with the effect of Evans' blue dye.