Parallel induction of IgE-mediated Ascaris antigen airway responses and increased carbachol airway reactivity in rhesus monkeys by infection with Ascaris suum.

In continuation of studies of four rhesus monkeys infected with Ascaris suum (J Lab Clin Med 101:864-872, 1983), we report the duration of IgE-mediated skin reactivity and airway responses to Ascaris antigen from 15 weeks to longer than 2.8 years. A second group of four rhesus monkeys was infected with A. suum ova after determination of the threshold of airway reactivity to carbachol. Evaluation of these animals confirmed the initial results of the first group of animals studied in relation to induction of skin and airway reactivity to Ascaris antigen. In addition, all animals developed increased airway reactivity, demonstrated by increased reactivity to lower concentrations of carbachol. We report this as a demonstration of induced IgE-mediated antigen airway responsiveness accompanied by induction of increased airway reactivity in a primate model. The increased airway reactivity does not appear related to the induction of IgE antibody.