INTERSTITIAL PNEUMONITIS INDUCED IN GUINEA-PIGS BY TRIATOMA-INFESTANSANTIGENS

Data concerning the experimental induction of hypersensitivity pneumon itis in guinea pigs with a Triatoma infestans antigen are presented. G lycoproteins obtained from the chitinous structures of T. infestans (7 9 kd + 11 kd) were aerosolized daily to guinea pigs during 7 weeks. Th e presence of specific antibodies (IgG and IgE) was detected by serolo gical techniques; histopathological studies of the lungs showed inters titial infiltrates of macrophages and T-cells. Single non-necrotizing granulomas were seen at the seventh week of the experiment. The result s from this animal model suggest that this hypersensitivity pneumoniti s is a typical delayed-type reaction due to chronic contact with the h eterologous glycoproteins of T. infestans.