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Coccidioidin and merthiolate in previously sensitized animals
Infection and Immunity
|January 1, 1975
Summary
Merthiolate, a skin test preservative, can enhance reactions to Coccidioides immitis antigens in guinea pigs. This synergistic effect, observed at 24 hours, suggests merthiolate influences delayed hypersensitivity responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Merthiolate is a common preservative in diagnostic skin test materials.
- Understanding its impact on skin test reactivity is crucial for accurate interpretation of results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of merthiolate on skin test reactions in guinea pigs.
- To determine if merthiolate influences delayed hypersensitivity responses to Coccidioides immitis antigens.
Main Methods:
- Four groups of guinea pigs were used, with varying sensitization protocols including merthiolate, Coccidioides immitis arthrospores, or both.
- Skin tests were administered and reactions (erythema and/or induration) were measured at 24 and 48 hours.
Main Results:
- Merthiolate alone induced moderate skin reactions in guinea pigs.
- Coccidioidin (derived from C. immitis) elicited positive delayed reactions in sensitized animals.
- A synergistic effect was observed where merthiolate combined with Coccidioidin produced significantly enhanced reactions compared to Coccidioidin alone at 24 hours.
Conclusions:
- Merthiolate can potentiate delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions to microbial antigens.
- The preservative merthiolate exhibits a synergistic effect with Coccidioidin, impacting skin test outcomes.