Respiratory allergy in the dog: induction by the respiratory route and the effect of passive antibody.

A technique for inducing hypersensitivity to prairie sage pollen (Artemisia gnopheles) in the dog was developed. The allergen induced skin reactivity in most dogs and respiratory hypersensitivity in 7 of the 17 animals tested. The respiratory hypersensitivity resembled naturally occurring respiratory allergies in both man and dog. The route of allergy induction resembles the natural route and it is felt that this system provides a useful model system for the study of respiratory allergies. Animals in which hypersensitivity was induced were used to investigate the role of passive 'blocking' antibody in respiratory allergy. It was observed that passive antibody will greatly inhibit the respiratory response to inspired allergen while completely inhibiting the cutaneous response. The results of these studies are discussed in relation to other studies.