Study of cell mediated immunity in malnourished children using DNCB skin sensitization test
Sanjeev Rai, B.; Krishnamurthy, P.N.; Rao, B.R.
Indian Pediatrics 18(1): 29-33
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-6061 PMID: 7262994 Document Number: 170634
In 170 malnourished and 30 normal children (control), 1 to 5 years old, cell-mediated immunity was studied by a skin test with dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) as skin sensitizer. Mantoux reaction was also tested in malnourished and control children who were previously immunized with BCG. Tonsil size and lymphocyte count were compared in the malnourished and control groups. The malnourished children developed impaired reaction to DNCB. The DNCB reaction was related to degree of malnutrition: the more severe the malnutrition, the greater the negative DNCB reaction. Mantoux test was negative much more and tonsil size was smaller in the malnourished than in the control children. Lymphopenia was also noted much more in the malnourished children.