Identification of human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals by delayed type hypersensitivity skin testing.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if more useful information could be derived from delayed type hypersensitivity skin testing of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients by measuring the amount of induration in response to skin testing in contrast to assessing for the presence of anergy.


METHODS
Prospective, double-blind trial.


METHODS
Two HIV clinics.


METHODS
A sample of 60 ambulatory, HIV-infected patients and 18 normal controls.


METHODS
Delayed type hypersensitivity skin testing with a panel of recall antigens.


METHODS
Anergy, total induration in response to the panel of antigens, and CD4 lymphocyte count.


RESULTS
Anergy was present in only 28 of 60 (46.7 percent) HIV-infected subjects. A low skin test score (under 20 mm of total induration) was present in 43 of 60 (71.7 percent) HIV-infected subjects (p < 0.01 vs anergy). One control patient was anergic, while two had a low skin test score (p = NS). Among HIV-infected subjects, there was poor correlation between CD4 lymphocyte count and skin test score (R2 = 0.12).


CONCLUSIONS
Skin testing by this method identifies more HIV-infected patients than does assessing the presence or absence of anergy.
Pulmonary Division, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington 06030, USA.
M L
ML
Metersky
P
P
Yang
H S
HS
Nielsen
A
A
Catanzaro
D000328:Adult; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D017635:Clonal Anergy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007428:Intradermal Tests; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis