ENHANCED DELAYED-HYPERSENSITIVITY SKIN-TEST REACTIVITY WITH SERIAL TESTING IN HEALTHY-VOLUNTEERS

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 40  (1) , 202-205
Abstract
Delayed hypersensitivity skin testing with multiple antigens is frequently used to evaluate immunopotentiation therapy in man. Since serial skin testing with a single antigen augments the skin test response, the effect of serial delayed hypersensitivity skin testing on skin test reactivity with multiple antigens was tested. Each of 12 healthy volunteers received 0.1 ml of 5 antigens on 2 occasions, 6 wk apart. The antigens used were streptokinase-streptodornase, Candida albicans, Trichophyton, mumps and Mycobacterium tuberculosis purified protein derivative [PPD]. Enhancement of skin test reactivity was demonstrated in the majority of tests. Of the tests which were negative with the 1st skin test (< 10 mm induration), 38.9% converted to positive. Enhancement in reactivity was observed in the majority of test subjects with all antigens except PPD. Similar enhanced skin test reactivity was observed in 15 additional subjects tested serially with Candida only. Uncontrolled studies of immunopotentiation must be interpreted with caution since serial delayed hypersensitivity skin testing with single or multiple antigens resulted in enhanced skin test reactivity.