Abstract
Summary
Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) elicited in guinea pigs with penicillin conjugates can be selectively suppressed with certain simple phenoxy propanediols. Of these, 3 p-chlor ophenoxy-1,2 -propanediol (chlorphenesin) was most extensively studied. Chlorphenesin elicited little interference with PCA induced by bovine serum albumin or S. typhosa. Many, but not all, of the rabbit antisera employed in these studies were subject to the interference by chlorphenesin. PCA reactions induced by 2 sera from penicillin hypersensitive humans were inhibited by chlorphenesin. The mode of action of chlorphenesin appears to be different from that of previously described inhibitors of anaphylactic reaction. The compound does not destroy penicillin, does not affect its antibiotic action, is devoid of antihistaminic and anti-inflammatory activity, and does not act by a generalized depression of the reactivity of the organism. Incubation of penicillin antibody with chlorphenesin decreases the antibody titer; thus, chlorphenesin may act by blocking certain antibody sites and in this manner interfere with specific antigen-antibody reactions.
The technical assistance of Drs. W. Diamantis, J. F. Douglas, O. J. Plekss, Mr. J. Harakal, Mrs. Irene Canellas, Miss M. Cardinale, and Miss M. De-Angelo is gratefully acknowledged.
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