[Delayed nonspecific cutaneous hypersensitivity in extrinsic allergic alveolitis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis].
BACKGROUND
A study of delayed nonspecific cutaneous hypersensitivity in extrinsic allergic alveolitis and in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.


METHODS
13 patients with extrinsic allergic alveolitis, 10 with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, 34 with sarcoidosis and a control group of 110 subjects without respiratory disease or apparent defects in cell immunity were evaluated. The skin tests of delayed hypersensitivity were carried out with five antigenic extracts (candidin, staphylococcal toxoid, tuberculin-PPD, trichophyllin, streptokinase-streptodornase). The reactions were read after 48 hours. Delayed nonspecific cutaneous hypersensitivity was globally calculated, both quantitatively (sum of the mean diameters) and quantitatively (overall average of positive reactions).


RESULTS
No significant differences were found between the group of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and the control group, nor between those with extrinsic allergic alveolitis and those with sarcoidosis. However, differences were found between the control group and the patients with extrinsic allergic alveolitis, both in the quantitative and the qualitative analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
Delayed nonspecific cutaneous hypersensitivity in extrinsic allergic alveolitis is depressed in a similar way as in sarcoidosis, whereas it appears to be preserved in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Therefore, extrinsic allergic alveolitis should be considered as another cause of reduction of delayed nonspecific cutaneous hypersensitivity as it is the case with sarcoidosis.
Orriols
R
R
Servicio de Neumología, Hospital General Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona.
Drobnic
M E
ME
Sampol
G
G
Ferrer
J
J
Román
A
A
Morell
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000542:Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000276:immunology*; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000276:immunology; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology*; D012882:Skin Tests
Hipersensibilidad cutánea retardada inespecífica en la alveolitis alérgica extrínseca y en la fibrosis pulmonar idiopática.