Studies on the effect of triton (WR-1339) on guinea pig tissues. III. Tuberculin hypersensitivity and in vitro cytolysis of leucocytes by tuberculin.

The administration of triton WR-1339 (300 mg./kg. subcutaneously) to tuberculin-sensitive guinea pigs 2 hours before the intradermal injection of PPD depresses slightly their skin sensitivity to tuberculin and essentially obliterates the lytic effect of tuberculin on their circulating leucocytes. When leucocytes from tuberculin-sensitive guinea pigs are exposed to triton in vitro at a concentration level attainable in vivo the cells are partially protected against lysis by PPD.