The effect of Bordetella pertussis vaccine on the development of experimental thyroiditis in rats immunized by the intra-lymph node route or into a hind footpad.

Experimental thyroiditis was produced by a single injection of homologous thyroglobulin in Freund's complete adjuvant when this was given along with an intracutaneous injection of vaccine. Severe thyroid lesions were observed as early as 8 days. There was no significant difference in the incidence and severity of thyroiditis and antibody formation when the thyroglobulin was injected into lymph nodes or into a hind footpad.