title: Experimental nickel sensitization in the guinea pig: comparison of different protocols.
abstract: 3 different sensitization protocols were compared for inducing delayed-type nickel contact hypersensitivity in guinea pigs. Open epicutaneous sensitization (OE) induced nickel allergy in 11/22 (50%) guinea pigs. When intradermal injections of Freund's complete adjuvant into the nickel-painted skin was added to the same protocol, 4/13 (31%) became sensitized. The guinea pig maximization protocol induced nickel allergy in only 7/31 (23%) of the animals. Compared with the 2 other methods, animals sensitized with open epicutaneous applications reacted more rapidly (maximum at 6 h) and strongly (2+ reaction in 12/22 of animals) in previous patch test sites upon systemic (i.p.) nickel challenge. Open epicutaneous sensitization of guinea pigs should be a useful model for studying cellular and immunological mechanisms in nickel contact sensitivity.
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000209:etiology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D009532:Nickel / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D009532:Nickel