The immunologic status during pulmonry tubercuolsis
Genoud, A.; Farquet, J.J.; Arnold, E.; Girard, J.P.; Cruchaud, A.
Schweizerische Medizinische Wochenschrift 106(40): 1362-1363
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-7672 PMID: 1006254 Document Number: 104170
The cellular and humoral immunity of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis has been evaluated prospectively in 22 PPD-positive and 10 PPD-negative patients by intradermoreaction (IDR), blast transformation (SL) and MIF production in response to PPD, Candida and varidase, peripheral lymphocyte count, and quantitative evaluation of immunoglobulins. There is a very good correlation between the different tests, and anergy is frequently found in elderly patients. Negative results (IDR, SL, MIF) are significantly observed in the presence of a negative PPD-IDR, lymphopenia (less than 1,000/mm3), impaired blast transformation in response to PHA (less than 21,000 cpm), and a cavitary form of tuberculosis. These findings suggest a defect of cellular immunity in these patients.