Failure to transfer tuberculin sensitivity passively with plasma fractions containing alpha globulin.

We are unable to confirm the observations reported by Cole and Favour that passive transfer of plasma fractions containing alpha globulin (IV + V or IV-10) from tuberculin-sensitive guinea pigs confers delayed sensitivity to tuberculoprotein upon normal animals. In guinea pigs with chronic cervical adenitis due to infection with group C hemolytic streptococci, injection of fraction IV + V and repeated skin tests with PPD induced indurated skin reactions of 9 to 10 mm., maximal at 24 hours, and, in one experiment, a positive tissue culture response to tuberculin. It is suggested that this reactivity was actively induced. Normal or infected recipients of fraction I + II + III from the plasma of tuberculin-sensitive donors manifested edematous responses to tuberculopolysaccharide, maximal at 4 to 6 hours, as reported. Skin tests with pneumococcal C polysaccharide revealed no evidence of passive transfer of C-reactive protein in fractions I + II + III or IV + V.