Antibody formation to dog pulp tissue altered by Kerr (Rickert's) sealer via the root canal

Pulp tissue from three experimental dogs was tested for its antigenicity before and after incubation with Kerr (Rickert's) sealer (KS). Reactions to Arthus skin tests showed an increased response to pulp that had been incubated in KS, washed, and then injected, as compared with the material alone. Hemagglutinating antibody titers (1/360--1/600) were obtained from pulp tissue altered by KS. Inhibition tests showed the specificity of the antibody to be at a dilution of titer of 1:300. Therefore, a mixture of Kerr (Rickert's) sealer altered dog pulp tissue and rendered it antigenically active, and a specific humoral response was produced.