Abstract
The method for synthesis of antigens composed of crystalline egg albumin conjugated to toluene diisocyanate (TDI) is described. Using the immunologic techniques of the precipitin ring test, percutaneous anaphylaxis in guinea pigs, Ouchterlony plates, and Immunoelectrophoresis, it has been shown that TDI spontaneously reacts with protein to produce an antigen with TDI specificity. It has further been shown that, as the amount of TDI reacting with the protein increases, the protein structure changes and the antigenicity of the protein is masked. It is also reported that small quantities of TDI injected intravenously into rabbits and rats will produce a pharmacodynamic response which causes a body temperature increase sufficient to be classed as a fever response.