Anaphylactic-like reaction of small intestinal epithelium in parasitized guinea-pigs.

Antigens derived from Trichinella spiralis were used to challenge, in vitro, sensitized jejunum from infected guinea-pigs while monitoring ion transport properties of the tissue. Antigen challenge resulted in dose-dependent increases in trans-epithelial electrical potential difference and short circuit current. Both antigen-stimulated electrical alterations and Schultz-Dale contractions were demonstrated in small intestinal tissue after the passive transfer of immune serum containing anti-trichinella homocytotropic antibodies.