Skin test responsiveness to four new tuberculins in patients with chronic obstructive airways disease receiving short term high doses of, or long term maintenance treatment with, prednisolone: clinical appearances and histometric studies.

摘要: The response to skin testing with tuberculins extracted from various species of mycobacteria was studied in 49 patients Dundee chronic obstructive airways disease. Seventeen had never been treated steroids (group 1), 17 were receiving short term high doses prednisolone 2) and did not have impaired Synacthen tests; 15 long maintenance treatment tests 3). Erythematous indurated reactions seen a few patients, more commonly antigens Mycobacterium tuberculosis than the other species: neither latter groups showed appreciable reduction reactivity compared that group 1 patients. number microanatomical distribution T4 T8 lymphocytes M3 bearing monocytes macrophages immunocytochemically cryostat sections biopsy specimens antigen injection sites. density these cells significantly less clinically negative those erythema or induration, but unrelated presence absence history prednisolone. T4:T8 ratio section as whole similar peripheral blood, relatively common perivascular periappendicular foci, predominant diffuse component infiltrate. I12 receptor uncommon: such least reactions, apparently treatment. It concluded currently accepted regimens reduce effector arm type IV (delayed hypersensitivity) responses so are unlikely compromise this aspect protective immunity.