ASSESSMENT OF THE EAR SWELLING TEST AND THE LOCAL LYMPH-NODE ASSAY INHAMSTERS

In a hamster model, we compared contact sensitivity to the metal salt, potassium dichromate, to that of oxazolone, a well-known strong sensi tizing agent. Using the ear swelling test, originally developed in mic e, no significant differences could be observed between animals treate d with potassium dichromate and controls, although oxazolone-treated a nimals showed a significant increase in ear thickness compared to cont rols. These observations were confirmed using the local lymph node ass ay (LLNA) where oxazolone proved to be a strong sensitizing agent, and potassium dichromate only resulted in a weak response. When the drain ing auricular lymph nodes were compared with the inguinal lymph nodes in the LLNA, more pronounced effects were obtained with the auricular lymph nodes. This study indicates that, also in hamsters, the LLNA is a feasible sensitization test system.