Experimental induction of contact allergy in dogs by means of certain sensitization procedures

Three contact allergens, dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), nickel and formalin, were determined allergenicities. Contact allergies were induced in 24 dogs and 15 guinea pigs (used as a comparative animal species) by means of Draize test, Maximization test, Open Epicutaneous test and Buehler test, and evaluated by means of closed patch testing. Results showed that, in dogs, nickel produced allergic responses of the skin in the Open Epicutaneous test, but formalin did not produced it. Tn the Maximization test, however, both nickel and formalin failed to induce a contact allergy, although DNCB showed a high allergenicity. The appropriate concentration of test solutions for the closed patch test in dogs were 1.0% for DNCB, 0.1% for nickel and 1:10 dilution for formalin, respectively.