Histamine Sensitivity in Children after Pertussis Infection

Abstract

IT has been shown in recent years that mice and rats are rendered hypersensitive to the action of histamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine and anaphylactic sensitization by pre-treatment with Hæmophilus pertussis vaccine^1–4. These properties are present only in organisms in the smooth phase and are not shared by other members of the Hæmophilus family^5,6. The sensitizing action is not seen in the guinea pig and the rabbit; on the other hand, there is some evidence that these two species are rendered slightly more resistant to histamine after such treatment⁷. Rats and mice are relatively resistant to histamine and anaphylactic shock, whereas guinea pigs and rabbits are susceptible. It was therefore of interest to study whether the reaction in man follows a similar pattern to the former two species or the latter. Recently there was an epidemic of whooping cough in Darbhanga and advantage was taken of this for such a study.