Cell Mediated Immune Response at Varying Age Periods in Relation to their Nutritional Status Among Preschool Children Given BCG at Birth

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Abstract
Cell Mediated Immune Response (CMIR) was investigated in 238 preschool children, 9 months to 6 years old, of varying nutritional status who had been given BCG at birth. Leucocyte migration inhibition test (LMIT) was used as an in vitro and Mantoux test as an in vivo measure of CMIR. The difference in the percentage of positive Mantoux test and area of induration was not significant between normal children and those suffering from mild to moderate undernutrition. No significant difference was found in positive LMIT between normal and undernourished group. Positive Mantoux test was elicited in fewer (38.7 to 26.5 per cent) children compared to positive LMIT (54.8 to 53.9 per cent) in the age group < 1 to 6 years. The results indicate that mild to moderate degree of malnutrition does not interfere with the elicitation of CMIR after BCG vaccination. Waning of CMIR occurred by the end of the first year. A negative Mantoux test does not necessarily mean absence of CMIR.

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