Pathology of the active Arthus reaction in the chicken

It was possible to produce an active Arthus reaction in chicken skin which resulted in gross and microscopic lesions. Histologically, the reaction was predominantly thrombotic in nature and restricted to the upper dermis. The thrombi appeared to develop as a consequence of immune complex deposition with adherence and aggregation of thrombocytes at the vascular endothelium. Thrombosis induced widespread necrosis and haemorrhage and vasculitis occurred in the lower dermis. Up to four hours after inoculation, the cell population comprised an infiltration of heterophils, monocytes and basophils, suggesting an immediate hypersensitivity reaction. This was followed by an Arthus type reaction for four to 12 hours involving both heterophils and monocytes. A characteristic feature was the development of early perivascular lymphoid foci. After 12 hours the reaction resembled a delayed hypersensitivity. The use of colloidal carbon suggested that whereas phagocytic activity of the heterophils and basophils appeared sensitisation dependent, that of thrombocytes and monocytes was independent of it. The findings indicate that in the Arthus reaction in the chicken the thrombocyte appears to be the principal cell producing tissue damage by thrombosis. A comparison was made with the active Arthus reaction in the rabbit.