Successful contact sensitization to chromate in mice.

Mice of the randomly bred strain ICR and of the inbred strain BALB/c could be successfully sensitized to chromate by repeated topical applications of a solution of potassium bichromate in dimethyl sulfoxide. The specificity of chromium sensitization was ascertained by ear tests, specific desensitization by intravenous injection of potassium bichromate and by histological ear sections showing marked infiltrates of leukocytes following ear application of chromium-dimethyl sulfoxide in already sensitized animals. It is concluded that mice may provide a useful experimental model for study of contact sensitivity to chromium.