Nielsen GD, Rohold AE, Andersen KE
DOI: 10.2340/00015555724548

Nickel contact sensitivity was successfully induced in guinea pigs using an open epicutaneous application method. Immediately after pretreatment with 1% aqueous sodium lauryl sulfate, upper back skin was treated daily for 4 weeks with 0.3%-3% nickel sulfate in either a 1% lanolin cream (Vaseline, pH 5 SAD crème) or hydroxypropyl cellulose. Weekly intradermal injections with aluminium potassium sulfate were used as adjuvant. The animals were challenged twice with a one week interval, with nickel sulfate 2% in water and 1% in petrolatum, respectively. The response rates in the test groups treated with nickel sulfate 1% or 3% in the lanolin cream or 1% in hydroxypropyl cellulose were significantly different from the response rate in the control group. Considering both readings at both challenges, the frequency of sensitization was 57-93% (8 of 14 to 13 of 14 animals) in the group treated with 1% in the lanolin cream, 60-100% (9/15 to 15/15 animals) in the group treated with 3% in the lanolin cream, and 67-75% (8/12 to 9/12 animals) in the group treated with 1% in hydroxypropyl cellulose. Rechallenge of initially sensitized animals 10 weeks later confirmed that a lasting contact allergy had been obtained.