Quinine Hypersensitivity in Guinea Pigs

Abstract

In an attempt to widen the range of compounds amenable to experimentation on hypersensitiveness in animals, using substances which may differ in the mechanism of sensitization, we undertook to sensitize guinea pigs with quinine which is known to cause allergy in human beings. Some positive sensitization results of moderate degree were obtained after a number of applications to the skin of a 5% solution in a mixture of one part of butyl carbitol (diethylene glycol monobutyl ether) and 3 parts olive oil. In several experiments in which this treatment was made instead on inflamed areas the number and degree of positive effects were increased; inflammation was produced with cantharidin, similar to previous work, 1 along with other irritants (xylene, croton oil, etc.). Likewise, marked sensitivity was achieved when quinine was applied to areas inflamed by 2:4 dinitrochlorobenzene in animals sensitive to the latter substance.

In well sensitized animals the reactions following the application of one drop of the above quinine solution are well developed by the following day and consist of intense reddening and slight elevation of the treated area. In less sensitive animals pronounced reactions appeared after 2 or 3 consecutive daily applications to the same site.

In a preliminary experiment the method of cantharidin burns gave positive sensitization effects also with a nickel salt (sulfate).