EXPERIMENTAL CEDAR POLLINOSIS IN RHESUS-MONKEYS

In order to develop an experimental model for human cedar pollinosis, 4 rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were subcutaneously immunized with crude cedar pollen antigen, which contained 1.0-mu-g or 10-mu-g protein with aluminium hydroxide gel, six times every month. All 4 animals showed immediate-type cutaneous reactivity. Serum IgE antibody responses against the pollen antigen, as quantitated by the Prausnitz-Kustner reaction, were seen in 3 of 4 monkeys. Radioallergosorbent test scores increased in 2 monkeys and remained at higher levels throughout the study. Histamine release from leukocytes was positive in all animals. In conjunctival provocation tests, they showed clinical signs such as eye-scratching after the antigen was dropped into their eyes. This reaction is similar to that observed in humans and suggests this animal model might be useful in studying human cedar pollinosis.