Systemic persistence of homologous guinea pig skin-sensitizing antibodies.

Homologous guinea pig skin-sensitizing antibodies of the IgG1 class (as characterized by heat stability and persistence in skin for 7 days) were shown to persist systemically for 28-35 days. Persistence was shown by the anaphylaxis induced in guinea pigs following the intracardiac administration of the antiboy and subsequent antigenic challeng by aerosol. Skin-sensitizing antibody of the IgE class, characterized by heat lability and persistence in skin for 14 days, still caused systemic anaphylaxis for 42 days after the intracardiac administration of antibody. The IgG serum fraction from nonimmunized rabbits blocked systemic anaphylaxis in the guniea pig induced by aerosol following the passive transfer of heterologous (rabbit) and homologous IgG antibodies to ovalbumin, but not following the passive transfer of homologous IgE antibodies to ovalbumin.