Cutaneous delayed-type hypersensitivity in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection in Zaire.
Cutaneous delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions were assessed by the CMI-Multitest (Merieux, Lyon, France) in patients with different stages of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in Kinshasa, Zaire. Skin tests were read after 48-72 h. A reaction to an antigen was considered positive if there was induration of greater than 2 mm. Cutaneous anergy occurred more often in HIV-seropositive patients than in healthy controls (p less than 0.001) and was most prevalent in patients with advanced HIV illness. HIV-seropositive patients with a positive tuberculin reaction were more likely to have active tuberculosis (TB) than HIV-seropositive patients without a positive tuberculin reaction (p less than 0.001). Therefore, a TB diagnosis should be pursued in HIV-seropositive patients with a positive tuberculin reaction.
Colebunders
R L
RL
Department of Public Health, Belgian-Zairian Medical Cooperation, Kinshasa, Belgium.
Lebughe
I
I
Nzila
N
N
Kalunga
D
D
Francis
H
H
Ryder
R
R
Piot
P
P
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000150:complications*