Chronic progressive experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) in adult guinea pigs.

Adult Hartley guinea pigs were inoculated with an increased dose of whole central nervous system tissue in complete Freund's adjuvant in order to determine the effects of high dose of neuroantigens on the clinical and pathological course of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). An increased survival rate during the first attack and a change in the course of the disease from an acute fatal one to chronic progressive EAE were observed. The main clinicopathological features of the disease included a delayed onset of mild neurological signs and the presence of large demyelinated plaques in the brain and spinal cord. The relationship of the chronic progressive course of the disease and the induction of high-zone tolerance is discussed.