Atopic dermatitis and delayed hypersensitivity.
Studies of patients with atopic dermatitis show both clinical and laboratory evidence of a depression of cellular immunity. In order to study one aspect of this disease in vivo we studied 40 patients with atopic dermatitis of both sexes, aged 2-30 years and 40 supposedly healthy subjects with similar characteristics in regard to age and sex who served as the control group. Both groups were subjected to tests of delayed hypersensitivity with Candidin, Trycophytin and Tuberculin. Candidin response was negative in 72.5% and 85% at 48 and 72 hours respectively. Trycophytin response was negative in 77.5% and 87.5% of the readings at the same time intervals, and Tuberculin response was negative in 85.5% of the patients with atopic dermatitis studied. The results are shown to be statistically significant. It is concluded that, cellular immunity should be evaluated in patients with atopic dermatitis.