ATTEMPTS TO BOOST TUBERCULIN SKIN REACTIONS BY SERUM OR BLOOD TRANSFER IN BCG-VACCINATED GUINEA-PIGS

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 58  (1) , 27-32
Abstract
In persons with waning sensitivity to mycobacterial antigens, skin reactivity to tuberculin may be maintained or enhanced as a result of tuberculin testing. Similar phenomena were observed in guinea-pigs. As tuberculin testing may lead to antibody formation, the booster effect might be due to circulating antibody. A series of 9 pilot experiments, including blood and serum transfer from boosted to unboosted BCG-vaccinated guinea-pigs, gave no support to this hypothesis.