Induction of delayed hypersensitivity in guinea pigs by staphylococcal cell wall components

The subcutaneous injection of 100 micrograms of staphylococcal cell-wall peptidoglycan in Freund's incomplete adjuvant leads to the development of sensitization which can be detected on days 7-35 by the splenocyte migration inhibition test. Sensitization can be detected with peptidoglycan, as well as with staphylococcal cell walls. Teichoic acids produce no such effect. The sensitization of guinea pigs with whole staphylococcal cells introduced in three injections also leads to the development of delayed hypersensitivity specific to staphylococcal cell walls, peptidoglycan, but not teichoic acids.