Capillary tube leucocyte adherence inhibition assay for cell-mediated immunity: effects of transient bacterial infection in guinea-pigs.

Adherence of guinea-pig leucocytes to glass, and changes of adherence caused by antigen challenge, were measured during a 3-month period in which an idiogenic, fortuitous bacterial infection passed though the main guinea-pig colony. Expected responses were found in SPF animals, and, at the beginning and end of this period, in stock animals and those immunized with Freund's complete adjuvant with or without added keyhole limpet haemocyanin. During active infection, all non-SPF animals showed enhanced adherence changes whilst SPF animals continued to give expected responses. The implications for use of leucocyte adherence inhibition tests with human subjects are discussed.