Passive transfer of delayed-type hypersensitivity to cell walls of Staphylococcus aureus

Protracted inflammatory dermal reactions to staphylococcal cell walls were observed in guinea pigs passively sensitized by transfer of peritoneal exudate cells but not by immune serum from guinea pigs actively sensitized with heat-killed cells of Staphylococcus aureus. The experiments verify the hypothesis that the protracted reaction is a cell-mediated immune response which is resolvable from the toxicity of the cell walls.