Effect of Cortisone on Some Reactions of Hypersensitivity in Laboratory Animals.

Abstract

In rabbits and guinea pigs sensitized with tubercle bacilli (BCG) dermal reactivity to old tuberculin and to cytoplasmic particles from tubercle bacilli and systemic shock produced by intraperitoneal injection of OT could be suppressed by treatment with cortisone. Four days after cessation of treatment the skin test again became positive. Cortisone did not prevent anaphylactic shock in guinea pigs sensitized with normal horse serum nor did it exert any influence on either the appearance of the Arthus reaction in rabbits injd with normal horse serum or on the skin test reaction to an intradermal injn. of normal horse serum in these rabbits.