Antigenic and allergenic properties of various atypical Mycobacteria and Mycobacterium avium. II. Skin reactions to homologous and heterologous PPD preparations in artificially sensitized guinea pigs

: Albino guinea-pigs were artificially sensitized to M. kansasi, scotochromogenic bacilli of Nicolas strain, M. fortuitum and M. avium and after 4 to 10 weeks 4,20 and 100 homological and heterologous units of PPD preparations were injected intradermally. It was shown that the studied bacilli had sensitizing properties too and PPD preparations obtained from them differ in biological activity and specificity. Sensitine made from M. kansasi was characterized by the greatest sensitizing strength. Bacilli of Nicolas strain had weak sensitizing properties and sensitine obtained from them was fairly active but poorly specific. A certain correlation was found between the degree of antigen relationship of bacilli determined with the help of the immunoelectrophoresis reaction and the intensity of cross allergic reactions occurring in sensitized animals. No connection was found, however, between the bacilli sensitizing capability and activity of PPD preparations obtained from them.