Cutaneous Basophil Hypersensitivity Research Articles

Effect of Immunosuppression with Cyclophosphamide, Cyclosporin, or Dexamethasone on Salmonella Colonization of Broiler Chicks

One-day-old broiler chicks were divided into four groups: untreated controls and three groups treated with the immunosuppressive drugs cyclophosphamide, cyclosporin, or dexamethasone on days 1-4 of age. On day 5, all groups were challenged orally with 10(4) Salmonella typhimurium. Suppression of immunocompetency was demonstrated in the treatment groups by significant decrease (P less than 0.05) in weights of bursas of Fabricius, and diminished mitogen-induced T and B lymphocyte blastogenesis and cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity responses. There were no significant differences among the four groups in the number of Salmonella in the cecal contents or in the number of cecal-culture-positive chicks on day 10 post-challenge at 15 days of age. Results indicated that impairment of B or T lymphocyte responses had little influence on the resistance of young chicks to Salmonella cecal colonization.

Robinson M, Fletcher R, Johnson G, et al: Value of cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity (CBH) response for distinguishing weak contact sensitization from irritation reactions in the guinea pig. J Invest Dermatol 94:636-643, 1990.

Robinson M, Fletcher R, Johnson G, et al: Value of cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity (CBH) response for distinguishing weak contact sensitization from irritation reactions in the guinea pig. J Invest Dermatol 94:636-643, 1990.

Robinson M, Fletcher R, Johnson G, et al: Value of cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity (CBH) response for distinguishing weak contact sensitization from irritation reactions in the guinea pig. J Invest Dermatol 94:636-643, 1990.

Robinson M, Fletcher R, Johnson G, et al: Value of cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity (CBH) response for distinguishing weak contact sensitization from irritation reactions in the guinea pig. J Invest Dermatol 94:636-643, 1990.

Immunologic Aspects of Atopic Dermatitis

The immunology of atopic dermatitis is complex, multilayered, and multifaceted. In one realm are the IgE-mediated, type I hypersensitivity reactions that can be elicited in at least 80% of patients. A second realm is that associated with cell-mediated immunity and delayed-type hypersensitivity (type IV) reactions. Scattered between these immunologic paradigms are the various splinters: immune complex abnormalities, putative late-phase reactions, and cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity. The inflammatory lesion of atopic dermatitis probably is a composite of the many model reactions that investigators have glimpsed but never resolved into a reasonable concept.

Interdigital skin test for evaluation of delayed hypersensitivity and cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity in young chickens

Summary A skin test to assess T-cell mediated delayed hypersensitivity (dh) and cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity (cbh) was evaluated in the interdigital skin of young chickens. Three-day-old chickens were sensitized with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and the dh reaction was elicited in the interdigital skin in 10-, 17-, 24-, and 31-day-old chickens by intradermal injection of tuberculin. Cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity was elicited in the interdigital skin of 10- and 14-day-old chickens by a single intradermal injection of phytohemagglutinin-P (200 μg). The effect of immunosuppression on the results of interdigital skin test for dh and for cbh was evaluated in chickens that were treated with dexamethasone daily for 4 days before testing. The dh reaction, as indicated by a significant (P < 0.01) increase in the mean interdigital skin thickness, was detectable in 10-day-old chickens and was consistently evident in 17-, 24-, and 31-day-old chickens. The dh response in the interdigital skin of 24-day-old chickens was comparable with that elicited in the standard wattle test. The cbh reaction, as indicted by a significant increase (P < 0.005) in skin thickness, was evident in the interdigital skin of 10- and 14-day-old chickens. Treatment with dexamethasone significantly decreased (P < 0.01) the dh and cbh reactions. Results of the study indicated that the interdigital skin test may be used to evaluate normal and suppressed cell-mediated dh and cbh reactions in chickens as young as 10 and 14 days old.

Histamine metabolism in delayed type hypersensitivity ? Comparative analysis with cellular infiltrates

We examined the dynamic changes of histamine metabolism and infiltrating cell populations in lesional sites of representative cutaneous delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH), including dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) allergic dermatitis, purified protein derivative of tuberculin (PPD) reaction, and keyhole limpet homocyanin (KLH)-induced cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity. The concentration of histamine increased with time in all DTH reactions examined, though the time course varied among these reactions. In DNCB allergic dermatitis, the maximum content of the amine at 3 days after the initiation was about three times that of the control baseline. In PPD reaction, the maximum content and the time course were almost similar to that in DNCB allergic dermatitis. However, in KLH-induced cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity the maximum content was about ten times that in DNCB allergic dermatitis or PPD reaction, and was observed earlier, on the 2nd day. There was no remarkable change in the activities of histamine-degrading enzymes in these reactions. There was little infiltration of mast cells, while time-dependent changes of the basophil infiltration were almost parallel those of the histamine concentration in all these reactions. Basophils in DNCB allergic dermatitis showed a piecemeal degranulation, while those in either the PPD reaction or KLH-induced cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity remained intact. These results clearly suggest that the increase of histamine concentration in cutaneous DTH depends on the number of basophils infiltrating the lesional sites, even if the regulatory mechanisms of the activation of the cells differ among the DTH reactions.

Value of the Cutaneous Basophil Hypersensitivity (CBH) Response for Distinguishing Weak Contact Sensitization from Irritation Reactions in the Guinea Pig

Numerous studies of the histology of allergic contact dermatitis reactions to potent allergens in guinea pigs and humans have indicated that there is significant tissue infiltration with basophilic leukocytes. In this study we determined whether this histologic finding could be of value in distinguishing weak sensitization reactions from primary irritation, thereby aiding in the predictive identification of weak or moderate contact allergens. Guinea pigs were sensitized by the Buehler test method. Skin reactions were graded 24, 48, and 72 h post-challenge with duplicate patch sites biopsied at the 24- or 72-h grading timepoints. The biopsies were fixed, embedded in glycol methacrylate, thin sectioned, and Giemsa stained. The number of basophils per 400 leukocytes were counted along the upper dermis just below the dermal/epidermal junction. Challenge patch sites from animals sensitized to a relatively low dose of the strong contact allergen, oxazolone, were compared with patch sites from animals challenged only with a strong irritant, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). Compared to normal skin (7.5 +/- 1.0 basophils/400 leukocytes +/- SEM) only the oxazolone patch sites showed significant basophil infiltration (36.8 +/- 6.5), despite the fact that the skin reactions to the low oxazolone challenge dose were relatively weak. SLS patch sites showed no basophil infiltration above normal skin levels (4.8 +/- 0.9). Subsequent blinded studies compared weak/moderate presumptive sensitization reactions (as defined by accepted visual skin grading criteria) to various chemicals (citronellal, vanillin, cinnamic aldehyde, and ethylenediamine) to primary irritation reactions to the same chemicals. In each case, low-challenge-dose sensitization sites on previously treated (induced) animals showed mean basophil infiltration (range, 11.9-69.2 basophils/400 leukocytes) significantly greater than higher-dose irritant reactions (range, 1.6-13.3). The range for normal skin was 0.2-10.2 and the range for strong patch reactions to higher concentrations of oxazolone was 59.8-209.3. These data strongly indicate that light-microscopic quantitation of the CBH response can be used to distinguish relatively weak to moderate contact sensitization reactions from primary irritation reactions to the same chemicals.

Comparison of Phytohemagglutinin-Induced Cutaneous Hypersensitivity Reactions in the Interdigital Skin of Broiler and Layer Chicks

Cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity (CBH) responses elicited by intradermal injection of phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA-P) were evaluated in the interdigital skin of broiler and layer chicks. Five- and 10-day-old broiler and layer chicks were injected intradermally in the interdigital skin between the third and fourth digits of the right foot with 25, 50, or 100 micrograms of PHA-P. The PHA-P-elicited CBH responses were evaluated by determining interdigital skin thickness before injection and 12 and 24 hr after injection. The effect of treatment with the T-lymphocyte-suppressing drug cyclosporin on the CBH responses was determined in chicks treated daily for 4 days before skin-testing at 10 days of age. Injection of PHA-P caused significant increases (P less than 0.005) in skin thickness at all dose amounts, with the maximum CBH response elicited by 100 micrograms PHA-P. The CBH response was significantly higher (P less than 0.05) in broilers than in layers. Treatment with cyclosporin significantly suppressed (P less than 0.01) the CBH response in 10-day-old chicks of both types. Results indicate that the interdigital skin-test is a rapid, simple means of assessing normal and suppressed T-lymphocyte-mediated immune response in broiler and layer chicks.

Evaluation of Cell-Mediated, Cutaneous Basophil Hypersensitivity in Young Chickens by an Interdigital Skin Test

An evaluation was made of an interdigital skin test to assess cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity (CBH), mediated by thymic (T) cells, in chickens less than 2 wk of age. Hubbard-by-Hubbard roosters 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 days of age were injected intradermally in the interdigital skin between Digits 3 and 4 of die right foot with 100 μg or 200 μg of phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA-P) in .10 mL of physiological saline solution (PSS). The left foot was injected with PSS and served as a control. The CBH response elicited by the PHA-P was evaluated by determining interdigital skin thickness before injection and at 12 and 24 h after injection. The effect of treatment with the T-cell suppressing drugs dexamethasone and cyclosporin on the CBH response was determined in chickens treated daily for 4 or 5 days prior to skin testing at 5 or 10 days of age. Significant increases (P<.005) of .64 to .88 mm occurred in the mean, interdigital skin thickness for all age groups of chickens at 12 and 24 h after injection of 100 or 200 μg of PHA-P. The PHA-P-elicited, CBH response was significantly suppressed by treatment with dexamethasone (P<.005) or cyclosporin (P<.05). The results indicated that the interdigital skin test is a rapid and simple means of assessing normal and suppressed immune responses in chickens at 3 to 14 days of age.

Immunological properties of cephalexin-induced delayed type hypersensitivity reaction in guinea pigs.

Immunological properties of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction induced by cephalexin (CEX) in guinea pigs were investigated. The animals were immunized with CEX using Freund's complete adjuvant. The time course of CEX-induced erythema showed some differences compared with that of classical DTH reaction. The erythema appeared at 6 h after intradermal administration of CEX, reached maximum size at 12 to 24 h and to be visible until 72 h. By enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, anti-CEX antibody was detected in only one of 15 animals tested. Normal animals (recipients) which had received immune sera from CEX-sensitized animals (donors) showed no skin reaction to CEX. In contrast, reaction to CEX was observed in recipient animals which had received a local transfer of lymphocytes or T cells from CEX sensitized animals. In immunopharmacological study, cyclosporin A suppressed the skin reaction but cyclophosphamide did not. Administration of carrageenan, an inhibitor of macrophage function, had no effect on expression of the reaction. Post administration (1 or 15 h) of clemastine, an anti-histamine drug, did not affect the reaction. By histological examination, the infiltrating cell-types at the reaction site were mainly composed of mononuclear cells and neutrophils, but no basophils, indicating that CEX-induced DTH reaction is tuberculin-type DTH and not a cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity reaction.

Clinical Observations of Mosquito Bite Reactions in Man: A Survey of the Relationship between Age and Bite Reaction

To evaluate the mechanism of mosquito bite reaction in man, the reaction to Aedes albopictus was observed in 162 subjects ranging in age between 1 to 68 years old. Bite reactions were found to consist of both an immediate and a delayed reaction. The eruption and time course of the immediate reaction were consistent with type I hypersensitivity. The eruption and time course of the delayed reaction were consistent with cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity. Positive rates of immediate reaction increased from early childhood to adolescence and decreased with age from adulthood. The appearance and intensity of the delayed reaction decreased with age. Mosquito bite reactions in human beings exposed continuously and regularly are known to change from stage 1 to stage 5 (stage 1; no reaction, 2; delayed reaction only, 3; immediate and delayed reaction, 4; immediate reaction only, 5; no reaction). Analysis of the relationship between age and bite reaction in this study indicated that the principle held true even when the exposures were irregular or at random.

Effect of Cortisol on Cutaneous Basophil Hypersensitivity to Phytohemagglutinin in Chickens

Three independent trials were conducted to determine if cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity (CBH) to the mitogen phytohemagglutinin (PHA-P) was affected by the injection of Cortisol in broiler cockerels. Trials 1 and 2 were similar, and Trial 3 imposed a period of heat stress in combination with Cortisol. At 6 wk of age, chicks were injected intramuscularly with 2 mg of Cortisol in a corn oil vehicle/500 g body weight at 48, 36, 24, and 12 h prior to challenge with PHA-P. Controls received an equal amount of corn oil on the same schedule. Each chick received .05 mL of PHA-P (100 μg) in the right wattle and an equal volume of saline in the left wattle. The CBH was assessed by measuring the thickness of wattles at various times from 0 to 48 h after challenge with PHA-P. Wattle indices were calculated. Birds were necropsied at 48 h post-PHA-P, and bursa of Fabricius, spleen, and both adrenals excised and weighed.Cortisol produced a significantly greater CBH response in Trials 1 and 2 as indicated by higher wattle indices at 48 h and at 6 h in Trial 3. Regression analysis indicated significantly greater intercepts for the Cortisol responses in Trials 1 and 3 and a significantly greater linear component for the Cortisol response in Trial 2. Body weights and relative bursa and spleen weights were reduced significantly by Cortisol, whereas relative adrenal weights were increased significantly in Trials 2 and 3. These data indicated that Cortisol enhanced CBH to the mitogen PHA-P in broiler cockerels. This is in contrast to reported immunosuppressive effects of other glucocorticoids.

Relationship between basophils and eosinophils in cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity reactions in guinea pigs and susceptibility to Trichostrongylus colubriformis infection

Guinea pigs with genetically determined resistance to primary infection with the nematode parasite Trichostrongylus colubriformis had more basophil and eosinophil leucocytes in cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity (CBH) reactions to keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH) than T. colubriformis susceptible guinea pigs. In outbred guinea pigs there was a significant correlation between the number of eosinophils in CBH reactions to KLH after 24 h and resistance to primary infection with T. colubriformis. These results suggest that examination of cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions to non-parasite antigens might be useful in predicting inherent resistance or susceptibility to parasite infection.

258 The relationship of basophils (BAS) to neutrophil (NEU) infiltration in guinea pig (GP) cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity (CBH)

258 The relationship of basophils (BAS) to neutrophil (NEU) infiltration in guinea pig (GP) cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity (CBH)

Aspects of the immunopathogenesis of flea allergy dermatitis in dogs

This paper reviews the current data on the nature of the allergen(s) of the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis and on some of the factors that determine the development and maintenance of the allergic state. The role of immediate hypersensitivity mediated by IgE, delayed hypersensitivity and of cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity in the immunopathogenesis is discussed. Finally, data on the nature of immunologic non-reactivity is presented and the prospects for therapeutic immunologic intervention discussed.

Effect of Adrenocorticotropin and Dietary Ascorbic Acid on Cutaneous Basophil Hypersensitivity to Phytohemagglutinin in Chickens

Two trials were conducted to assess the effects of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and dietary ascorbic acid (AA) on cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity (CBH) to phytohemagglutinin (PHA-P) in chickens. Broiler chicks received AA at levels of 0, 150, or 300 mg/kg of feed (ppm) continuous from hatching. At 6 to 7 wk of age, birds from each AA group received either 2 IU ACTH/100 g of body weight, 4% gelatin, or no ACTH or gelatin injections. Injections were given 12 h prior to, at the time of, and at 12 and 24 h after an intradermal wattle injection with PHA-P. Responses to PHA-P were determined as wattle indices. Injections of ACTH reduced body weight gain in both trials and decreased relative bursa weight in Trial 1. Injections of ACTH and dietary AA increased plasma cholesterol in both trials. Peak CBH wattle response occurred at 24 h post PHA-P injection. Injections of ACTH decreased mean wattle index at 18 and 36 h post PHA-P injection in Trial 1 and 18 and 24 h post PHA-P injection in Trial 2. The addition of AA ameliorated the ACTH-mediated suppression of CBH in a dose-related manner.

Inhibition of C5a-induced basophil degranulation by disodium cromoglycate

Injection of purified porcine C5a into 24-hr basophil-rich cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity sites in the dose range 10(-12)-10(-10) moles/site produced cutaneous basophil anaphylaxis (CBA). The H1 antihistamine antagonist mepyramine, given orally (3.0-30 mg/kg), inhibited the vasopermeability, but not the basophil degranulation, characteristic of CBA. The antiallergy agent disodium cromoglycate (DSCG), administered intravenously (3.0-30 mg/kg), inhibited vasopermeability and basophil degranulation. DSCG inhibition of mast cell degranulation was not important in the inhibition of CBA, since intact mast cells were found to be depleted at basophil-rich sites and absent at C5a-induced CBA sites from animals treated with DSCG. C5a at 10(-11) moles/site also induced vasopermeability and mast cell degranulation in normal guinea pig skin. Vasopermeability, but not mast cell degranulation, was inhibited by mepyramine at 30 mg/kg p.o. However, DSCG at 10 mg/kg i.v. failed to inhibit either the vasopermeability or the mast cell degranulation of this reaction. These results indicate that C5a induces the degranulation of both basophils and mast cells in the guinea pig, and that C5a-induced degranulation of basophils, but not mast cells, is inhibited by DSCG.

Kinetics of the Wattle Reaction to Human Plasma

Human plasma produced cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity when injected into chicken wattles. The kinetics of the response development were affected by presensitization, whether or not complete Freund's adjuvant was used. Presensitized chickens developed their maximum response significantly sooner (12.6 hr earlier) than the controls.

The role of basophils in the immunopathogenesis of hypersensitivity to fleas ( [formula omitted]) in dogs

Biopsies taken of skin test sites from 10 dogs allergic to fleas were fixed in Karnovsky's fixative and embedded in methacrylate. One micron sections were stained with acid Giemsa for identification of basophils. This cell was identified in most biopsies taken at intervals from 1 hour to 48 hours post-injection. The proportion was highest between 4 hours and 18 hours and had substantially fallen by 48 hours. The highest number of basophils recorded as a percentage of the inflammatory infiltrate was 22.1%, with biopsies from 7 of the 10 dogs showing in excess of 10% basophils at some point. The results suggest that cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity may play an immunopathogenic role in flea-bite hypersensitivity in dogs.

Isolation and characterization of salivary antigens from the female tick, Dermacentor andersoni.

The salivary glands of ixodid ticks are complex organs which are known to contain the antigens responsible for tick resistance in animals. We have identified a large number of proteins from salivary gland extracts (SGE), at least some of which are immunologically recognized by tick resistant animals and which are therefore presumed to be secreted salivary components. During the 6 to 10 day feeding process, a number of these antigens alter in concentration according to individual kinetics, and some of these changes correlate with the kinetics of skin test reactivity of SGE obtained at different times throughout the feeding period. By use of immunoaffinity chromatography we have isolated large quantities of many of the salivary antigens (SGA) contained in SGE, and found that they contain several esterase activities. SGA stimulates both immediate and delayed skin reactions in tick resistant guinea-pigs, and these reactions are about 200-fold more intense, per unit protein, than those elicited by SGE. The skin reactions to SGA are basophil-mediated and have many features in common with the cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity reactions of tick resistant animals. The demonstrated antigenic complexity of the glands may have profound implications for attempts to develop anti-tick vaccines, as it may eventually be found that candidate vaccines will have to incorporate more than one tick antigen in order to be effective.