A retrospective review of lesions associated with the use of Freund's adjuvant.

A retrospective evaluation was made of lesions observed after the use of Freund's adjuvant formulations in rabbits and monkeys. Inflammation was consistently present at the sites of inoculation. Complications frequently included focal necrosis and ulceration of the skin. Other lesions included fistulous tracts, self-induced trauma, muscle atrophy, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and embolic pneumonia. Lesions were most severe with formulations containing larger quantities of mycobacteria or with larger volumes of adjuvant injected per site.