Phytohemagglutinin Skin Test for the Immunological Assessment of the Surgical Patient

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The use of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) as skin test agent was investigated. The test was performed in 42 healthy individuals and in 32 patients with malignant disease undergoing surgery. To establish immunosuppression in the direct postoperative period 15 patients undergoing cholecystectomy were tested sequentially. All healthy adults had a positive delayed response. No systemic or permanent local reactions were encountered. In healthy adults the PHA skin test had no influence on the in vitro PHA blastogenesis, the number of leukocytes, lymphocytes and E-rosette-forming cells. A reversion of the immunosuppressed state to normal in some cancer patients upon surgery was substantiated as well. The PHA skin test is an easy and a reliable method to give an impression of the immune response of surgical patients. It has many advantages above the commonly employed primary and secondary antigens.