The Antibody Response of Guinea Pigs to Topical and Intramuscular Administration of Trachoma Antigens

Guinea pigs were immunized with homogenates of purified trachoma elementary bodies either topically or intramuscularly. Topical administration induced the appearance of 2-mercaptoethanol-resistant antibodies in the eyes of the immunized animals, whereas the antitrachoma antibodies in the serum were sensitive to the reagent. No antibodies were detected in the eyes after intramuscular immunization. The serum antibodies were resistant to treatment with 2-mercaptoethanol.