No abstract

No abstract

The mechanism of cortisone action in allergy and anaphylaxis is still obscure. The facts established by numerous investigations are that it does not interfere with histamine action or with antigen-antibody union. Our knowledge of its influence on tbe formation of antibody is still scanty. We have tried to investigate this question. METHODIn active sensitization of the guinea pig antibody is formed from the time of the sensitizing injection until it reaches an approximately steady level after 21 days or a little later. We have used egg albumen (0.7-0.8 cc of a 5 % solution of dried albumen were injected intramuscularly) in guinea pigs of 300-400 g weigbt. After the end of the sensitization period the animals Avere shocked by egg albumin aerosol and the preconvulsion time measured. The method is described elsewhere (Herxheimer, 1952).The preconvulsion time is the maximum period for which a sensitized guinea pig can be exposed to (the shock of) an antigen aerosol without the occurrence of convulsions. The preconvulsion time can be increased by shortening the interval between shock exposures-partial desensitization by reducing the * Permanent address: Istituto di Patologia Medica, Universita, Bologna.

No abstract