Rabbit model of phlyctenulosis and catarrhal infiltrates
B. J. Mondino, R. Kowalski, H. V. Ratajczak, J. Petes, S. B. Cutler and S. I. Bronw
Phlyctenules and catarrhal infiltrates of the human cornea have been
described in association with staphylococcal blepharitis. Rabbits immunized
and boosted with phenol-inactivated Staphylococcus aureus had a fourfold or
greater increase in antibody titer to S aureus and delayed hypersensitivity
to S aureus. After topical challenge with viable S aureus, the rabbits in
this model had vascularized, elevated, nodular infiltrates of the cornea
resembling phylctenules in humans and peripheral corneal infiltrates
running parallel to the limbus and separated from it by a lucid interval
resembling catarrhal infiltrates in humans. The nodular corneal infiltrates
were found in a subepithelial location and were composed of vessels,
polymorphonuclear leukocytes and mononuclear cells, including lymphocytes,
plasma cells, and macrophages. The peripheral corneal infiltrates separated
from the limbus by a lucid interval were found in the anterior stroma
beneath the corneal epithelium and were composed of polymorphonuclear
leukocytes and mononuclear cells.
