SIMPLE SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF PASSIVE AND ACTIVE EAR CUTANEOUS ANAPHYLAXIS IN THE MOUSE

Homologous passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) and active cutaneous an aphylaxis (ACA) to ovalbumin and DNP-hapten were studied in the ears o f female BALB/c mice by means of assessing Evans blue dye leakage. For the quantitative evaluation of PCA and ACA, a hand-held spectrophotom eter and the conventional colorimetric method were used to detect the amount of extravasated dye. The value of Delta Eab (a numerical expre ssion of color) obtained with the hand-held spectrophotometer and the amount of extravasated dye showed a good correlation. In the mouse ear , the sensitivity of PCA reaction was comparable to that of PCA in the rat, and Delta Eab in the PCA and ACA reactions correlated well with the dilutions of sera and of the antigen, respectively. Thus; using a hand-held spectrophotometer is a simple, quantitative and sensitive m ethod for ascertaining the extent of immediate-type hypersensitivity i n the mouse. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserve d.