Comparability of delayed hypersensitivity in various rodents. II. Jones-Mote type hypersensitivity in guinea-pigs immunized with sheep erythrocytes and its modification by cyclophosphamide or BCG pre-treatment.

Guinea-pigs were immunized via footpads with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) in saline. Histological examination of erythematous skin reaction was performed and effects of cyclophosphamide (CY) or BCG pre-treatment on the skin reaction were examined. Delayed-in-onset erythematous skin reaction accompanied by substantial basophil infiltration was elicited in guinea-pigs immunized with SRBC in saline. The erythema was augmented in size by CY which was injected 2 days before immunization. The reaction may be comparable to Jones-Mote type. In BCG pre-treated guinea-pigs, basophil infiltration at the skin reaction sites was reduced in number, but significant inhibition of macrophage migration was not detected in the presence of SRBC antigen. The reaction may be intermediate between Jones-Mote and the tuberculin type. Comparability of delayed skin reactions in guinea-pigs and delayed footpad reactions in mice or hamsters against SRBC is discussed.