Delayed type hypersensitivity against semliki forest virus in mice: local transfer of delayed type hypersensitivity...

In mice, a strong delayed type hypersensitivity (DH) without detectable neutralizing antibodies in serum could be obtained after intracutaneous injection of inactivated Semliki Forest virus (SFV) mixed with the adjuvant dimethyl dioctadecyl ammonium bromide (DDA). Thioglycollate-induced peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) from these mice were highly effective in passive transfer of DH against SFV locally in footpads of naive recipient mice. DH reactions were measured with a footpad swelling test. By contrast, either immune PEC from nonstimulated peritoneal cavities or thioglycollate-induced PEC from mice which had developed neutralizing antibodies were unable to transfer DH passively.