Study of Arthus Reaction and of Cutaneous Anaphylaxis Induced Passively in the Rat.

Abstract

Arthus and passive cutaneous anaphylactic (PCA-) reactions were produced in the rat using known amts. of antigen and antibody. Reverse Arthus reactions could be produced by 5-10 [mu]g. antibody IV either with the egg albumin-anti-Ea, or with the S III-anti-S III system. For the direct Arthus reaction, at least 200 [mu]g. anti-S III N were required. The threshold of the PCA-reactions corresponded to 0.5-1 [mu]g. AbN for both the Ea-anti-Ea and S III-anti-S III systems. The enormous difference in the minimal amts. of Ab required for PCA-reactions, as contrasted with the essential identical values found for passive reverse Arthus reactions in the rat and in the guinea pig, indicates that the 2 reactions are basically different in their mechanisms.