EXPERIMENTAL-MODEL OF ALLERGIC CONJUNCTIVITIS TO RAGWEED IN GUINEA-PIG

An experimental model of ocular allergy was developed in the guinea pi g by exposing these animals to ragweed through topical contact on nasa l and conjunctival mucosae, followed by subsequent challenge with ragw eed contact on the conjunctiva. Animals developed clinical and histolo gical signs of allergy with and without the use of interleukin 4 as ad juvant. This model mimics human hay fever conjunctivitis more naturall y than do animal models previously reported, and it may be subsequentl y more valuable in the study of the response of allergic conjunctiviti s to different therapeutic approaches.