Table 1

Mouse ear swelling tests (MESTs): positive control + three cyanobacteria suspensions + purified cylindrospermopsin

TEST MATERIAL
Proportion of test mice with ear swelling >20% after challenge
Proportion of test mice with ear swelling >20% after re-challenge
Per cent ear swelling of test group after challenge. Median (range)
Per cent ear swelling of test group after re-challenge. Median (range)
Per cent ear swelling of highest responder control mouse after challenge and re-challenge
Fisher's exact test comparing proportion of ear thickness increases <20% between test and control mice

0.1% DNCB
100% n= 10 at 24 hrs
n = 9 at 24 & 48 hrs
Not done
68.6 (16.4 – 130.0)
Not done
Not done

2% w/v M. aeruginosa microcystins 13.6 μg/mL
0
0
1.9 (-11.6 – 10.7)
1.2 (-1.6 – 10.0)
8.9

2% w/v A. circinalis saxitoxins 6.0 μg/mL
0
0
0.0 (-6.8 – 8.2)
1.5 (-2.9 – 9.5)
11.7

2% w/v C. raciborskii cylindrospermopsin 73 μg/mL
60%
n= 2 at 24 hrs
n= 4 at 48 hrs
60%
n = 6 at 24 hrs
n = 2 at 24 & 48 hrs
15.8 (0.0 – 38.9)
18.3 (2.2 – 47.5)
10.7
p = 0.001
100 μg/mL cylindrospermopsin*
22%
n = 1 at 24 hrs
n = 1 at 48 hrs
44%
n = 1 at 24 hrs
n = 3 at 48 hrs
8.1 (-4.8 – 26.1)
12.6 (4.5 – 49.2)
4.8 (challenge)
27.8 (re-challenge)
p = 0.51 (challenge)
p = 0.58 (rechallenge)

* challenge concentration applied to test ears was 50 μg/mL. Rechallenge concentration was 100 μg/mL (= induction concentration).

Stewart et al. BMC Dermatology 2006 6:5   doi:10.1186/1471-5945-6-5