Contact sensitivity in the guinea pig eye

Guinea pigs were sensitized systemically with the contact sensitizer oxazolone and challenged by topical application of the chemical to the eye and the skin. Inflammatory reactions of the conjunctiva, cornea and skin were uniformly elicited, but these were most intense clinically following intra-dermal sensitization with mycobacterial adjuvants. Mononuclear, neutrophilic and eosinophilic leukocytes infiltrated the ocular tissues and skin 24 hours after challenge. Basophils, which were prominent in the cutaneous reactions, were virtually absent from ocular tissues.