C. parvum skin testing antigen: study on guinea pig model.

A skin-testing antigen produced from C. parvum has been developed for exploring cell-mediated immunity and specially C. parvum specific cell-mediated immunity by delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity (DCH) reaction. The DCH antigen and the techniques of intradermal injection and multiple puncture are described. DCH reactions are carried out in C. parvum specifically sensitized guinea pigs: sensitization procedure and adjuvant (IFA and CFA) effects are reported. Measures of DCH reactions for different antigen doses at various times (5-24-48 h) are reported; classical Mantoux and multiple puncture reactions are compared. The specificity of these DCH reactions are explored by comparing C. parvum antigen and tuberculin reactions in corynebacterium and mycobacterium sensitized guinea pigs.