Ovalbumin-induced immunomorphologic reaction of rat lung with emphasis on bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT).

Specific pathogen-free albino rats exposed to a series of 5 intratracheal inoculations of pure ovalbumin presented hyperplasia of main bronchi BALT-aggregates, the lymph and plasma cells infiltrated with immunofluorescent elements extending up to the distal end of the bronchial tree. The most intensely reactive alterations, particularly of perivascular proliferations rich in antibody-containing cells were observed in intramuscularly stimulated rats with ovalbumin emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant. The lung structures of animals subcutaneously stimulated with ovalbumin solution were similar to those of controls.