Temporary suppression of lymphocyte transformation after tuberculin skin testing.

Abstract

Sixteen normal subjects were studied to see if a tuberculin skin test (Mantoux) would induce changes in their cell-mediated immune response (CMIR) as determined by a lymphocyte transformation test (LTT). In ten Mantoux-positive persons, a significant suppression of the responses to stimulation with both purified protein derivative (PPD) and phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) occurred. The suppression was seen within a week of the skin test. In three Mantoux-negative persons, an increase was seen in the response to stimulation with PPD, together with a significant suppression of the response to stimulation with PHA. Antibodies to PPD were found in low titres, but the titres did not change during the period of suppression of CMIR. The results show that a transient suppression of CMIR can be induced in normal individuals by the application of a small dose of antigen.