[Immunosenescence: delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity tests in independently-living Chilean elderly individuals].
BACKGROUND
Delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity tests are a globally accepted test to assess cellular immunity in vivo. The quality and quantity of the response to these type of tests, varies in different populations.


OBJECTIVE
To study delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity in a group of healthy Chilean elders.


METHODS
Forty two elders (32 male), aged 60 to 76 years old were studied. Multitest-CMI was applied in the left forearm. This test allows the subcutaneous administration of seven antigens and a glycerin control. Results were compared with those of a group of young adults studied by the authors.


RESULTS
Among males there was a mean of 2.7 +/- 1.4 positive responses compared with women, that had 1.7 +/- 1 positive responses (p = 0.016). The sum of response diameters was 4.2 +/- 1.5 and 3.6 +/- 1.9 mm in men and women respectively (p = NS). Compared to young adults, elderly women had a lower response to tetanus and diphtheria toxoids and men had a lower response to diphtheria and Proteus mirabilis.


CONCLUSIONS
Elderly people have a less intense response to delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity tests than young adults. This response must be assessed in each population to account for regional variability.
Blackburn
E
E
Departamento de Medicina Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile.
Mur
P
P
Jofré
B
B
Coll
C
C
Jurlow
E
E
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*; D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000276:immunology*; D002677:Chile; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000379:methods
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D000946:Antigens, Fungal