Delayed type hypersensitivity to Staphylococcus aureus peptidoglycan in guinea pigs.

Skin hypersensitivity to Staphylococcus aureus peptidoglycan in guinea pigs was studied. For distinct skin reaction injection of 50 microgram of the antigen was required. Nonsensitized guinea pigs and animals sensitized with emulsion of 1 mg or 100 microgram of peptidoglycan with complete or incomplete FREUND's adjuvant exhibited distinct immediate skin hypersensitivity. Nonsensitized animals did not show delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH). For development of DTH sensitization with 100 microgram of the antigen with incomplete FREUND's adjuvant was sufficient. The application of complete FREUND's adjuvant resulted in intensification of DTH; however, also nonspecific sensitization to staphylococcal peptidoglycan with Mycobacterium butyricum cells, present in complete adjuvant, occurred.