[Experimental findings after application of Kveim antigen. II. Sensibilization of mice and guinea pigs by Mycobacterium avium (serotype I) (author's transl)].

Mice and guinea pigs were sensibilisized by intraperitoneal injection of Mycobacterium avium (serotype I). Three and five weeks later (guinea pigs) and four weeks later (mice) the animals received kveim antigen into the footpads (guinea pigs) and into the perianal fat tissue (mice). Three and five weeks later (guinea pigs) and four weeks later (mice) the exstirpated material was investigated by light microscopy and enzyme histochemistry. Guinea pigs showed three and five weeks after injection of kveim antigen a lot of questionable positive and positive kveim tests and mice a high percentage of granulomatous changes, resembling a positive kveim reaction. With histochemical methods leucinaminopeptidase is a valuable diagnostic aid for detection of granulomatous changes in mice but not so good in guinea pigs.