Recurrent immunogenic interstitial keratitis. Production in the guinea pig by extraocular means.

Combinations of intracutaneous (IC) and intravenous (IV) injections of bovine gamma-globulin (BGG) or bovine serum albumin (BSA) induced interstitial keratitis in 24 of 29 guinea pigs. For IC injection, antigen was incorporated in complete Freund adjuvant. When IC and IV BGG reactants were administered simultaneously, corneal opacities appeared after 11 to 19 days and persisted for periods of 2 to 11 days. Following a free interval, a secondary reaction of somewhat shorter duration occurred. A BGG-adjuvant emulsion administered three or five weeks after IV injection of BGG induced an accelerated and intensified response followed by a protracted course of recurring corneal opacities. Irritative brain lesions produced by implanted alumina cream or cobalt powder prior to simultaneous IC and IV antigenic treatment were associated with diminished conreal reactions (alumina) and a number of tertiary eye responses.