Systemic Cellular Hypersensitivity Induced by an Intestinally Absorbed Antigen

Neonatal mice given intact living Schistosoma mansoni eggs or soluble schistosome egg antigens intragastrically developed systemic cellular hypersensitivity as shown by markedly accelerated, augmented granulomatous inflammation around S. mansoni eggs subsequently injected intravenously into the pulmonary microvasculature. To achieve partial sensitization in adult mice schistosome eggs had to be administered intragastrically with bicarbonate; full sensitization occurred when the eggs were injected intraduodenally. These data indicate that under appropriate conditions intestinal administration of antigen can result in systemic cellular immune sensitization.