Anaphylaxis in guinea pigs induced by ovalbumin aerosol in vivo and in vitro methods

We describe in this paper a simple aerosol method of provoking bronchial anaphylaxis in both anesthetized guinea pigs and guinea pig isolated lungs. We also show the time course of bronchoconstriction induced by an aerosol of ovalbumin in previously sensitized guinea pigs in vivo and in vitro and the effect of the H1 antagonist mepyramine on this bronchoconstriction. We believe this method of inducing anaphylaxis is important, since the antigen is delivered via a more relevant route, i.e., the airways. Furthermore, the in vitro technique should greatly facilitate the analysis of the anaphylactic mediators released in guinea pig lung following inhalational challenge.