Adoptive autoimmune encephalomyelitis in inbred guinea pigs: immunological and histological aspects

Major variables which determine the induction and severity of adoptive autoimmune encephalomyelitis are the age and strain of the animal, and the amount of killed mycobacteria in the adjuvant. Control of these factors results in consistent production of this disease in high incidence and in severe form. The pathologic changes in the central nervous system can be correlated with the clinical disease. Maturity of the target tissues in the central nervous system of the newborn appears to be an important factor which distinguishes the response of the guinea pig from that of other species.