Attempts to suppress experimental allergic neuritis in the rat by pretreatment with antigen.

The injection of bovine dorsal root antigen in complete Freund's adjuvant can be used to produce experimental allergic neuritis (EAN) in rats. In this study attempts were made to prevent the development of the disease by prior injections of antigen. It was found that eight intradermal (i.d.) injections of antigen in either incomplete Freund's adjuvant or in saline failed to suppress EAN. A single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of antigen in saline produced only minimal protection against the disease. However, it was found that rats which had been given a primary course of EAN were subsequently completely unresponsive to a second injection of antigen.