Abstract
Summary
Immune competence to sheep erythrocytes, skin allografts, and antigenic tumor transplants was studied in random-bred CFDH as well as inbred (syngeneic) strain-2 guinea pigs receiving repeated BCG scarification. Peripheral blood leucocyte (PBL) changes and histopathological alterations of the skin site and regional lymph nodes were also evaluated during the course of treatment. The results demonstrate that in this experimental model BCG scarification depresses humoral immune competence and augments cellular immunity. Elevation of the PBL counts was also indicative of an acute systemic effect resulting from repeated BCG treatment. Flaring of previous scarification sites, activation and enlargement of draining nodes, and progressive responsiveness of nodes draining sites of previous scarification were also observed.
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