Experimental iso-immune adrenalitis

Abstract

Lesions of the adrenal glands have been produced in guinea pigs by the intramuscular injection of homologous adrenal gland with a fraction made from heat-killed human tubercle bacilli incorporated in a water-in-oil emulsion.

Both the cortex and medulla were affected. Destruction and infiltration of the glandular tissues were observed histologically.

Control groups of animals, in some of which the same bacillary fraction and similar adrenal gland suspensions had been injected separately, failed to show the adrenal lesions.

This experimental adrenalitis has been compared and contrasted with experimental allergic encephalomyelitis: it is believed both are caused by a similar process, immunological in nature.