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Murine Model of Epicutaneously-Induced Immunomodulation
Published on: June 24, 2025
LOCAL IMMUNITY IN EXPERIMENTAL ERYSIPELAS
1Biological Division, Medical Clinic, School of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore.
The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|October 30, 2009
Summary
Skin inflammation from erysipelas streptococci in rabbits creates local resistance to infection. This resistance spreads ventrally, suggesting lymph channel involvement, and can extend to other bacteria.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Erysipelas is a bacterial infection caused by Streptococcus.
- Understanding local immune responses is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the development and spread of skin resistance following erysipelas streptococci infection in rabbits.
- To explore the specificity of this induced local immunity.
Main Methods:
- Endodermal injection of virulent living erysipelas streptococci into rabbits.
- Assessing skin resistance to subsequent homologous and heterologous bacterial challenges.
- Monitoring the spread of resistance beyond the initial inflammatory zone.
- Evaluating for systemic humoral immunity.
Main Results:
- Healed inflammatory skin lesions conferred partial resistance to homologous Streptococcus strains.
- Resistance spread ventrally beyond the lesion, correlating with lymph flow.
- Cross-resistance was observed against other Streptococcus strains and Staphylococcus aureus, though to a lesser degree.
- Repeated injections led to diminished local reactions and eventual systemic humoral immunity.
Conclusions:
- Local skin inflammation induces a degree of specific and non-specific resistance to subsequent infections.
- The ventral spread of resistance suggests Streptococcus migration through lymph channels.
- Systemic immunity develops with prolonged exposure, indicated by agglutinins and antitoxin presence.
