SPECIFIC IMMUNE-RESPONSES TO SKIN-TEST ANTIGENS FOLLOWING REPEATED MULTIPLE ANTIGEN SKIN-TESTS IN NORMAL INDIVIDUALS

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 50  (3) , 635-643
Abstract
Delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses are widely used to evaluate immunological competence, even though there is a paucity of information about serum antibody (Ab) responses also induced by DTH test antigens and procedures. In a prospective controlled study of 24 healthy adult [human] volunteers, antigen (Ag) specific DTH and serum Ab responses induced after 2 skin tests (4 weeks apart), each using the same 7 test antigens, were concurrently measured over an 8 wk course. Standardized preparations of Proteus, tuberculin, Candida and tetanus antigens used in each of the multiple antigen skin tests to evaluate DTH responses were used also in solid phase bead-type radioimmunoassays (SBRIA) to measure levels of Ig specific, Ag specific Ab in serum specimens collected serially from the volunteers. DTH responses of each volunteer to diphtheria, Streptococcus and Trichophyton antigens were assessed in each skin test, while levels of serum Ab to Escherichia coli, measles virus and KLH [keyhole limpet hemocyanin] were measured by SBRIA. A significant correlation of DTH responses with Ab levels after the initial skin test was observed only for one Ag, i.e., decreased DTH and increased IgG Ab responses to tetanus. Transitory significant changes in levels of Ig specific antibody to 6 of the 7 antigens were detected by SBRIA. Following the 2nd skin test, DTH responses to tetanus and Streptococcus, but not the other 5 skin test antigens, were significantly decreased, while no significant effects on antibody levels to SBRIA tests Ag were observed. Evidently, no long-term DTH or Ab responses to skin test antigens were stimulated in normal adult individuals after repeating multiple antigen skin tests.