Histometric studies on cellular infiltrates of tuberculin tests in patients with sarcoidosis.

Abstract

The density and microanatomical location of CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes and of monocytes/macrophages at the site of a tuberculin test were measured in 13 patients with sarcoidosis, and the results were compared with those seen in a group of healthy controls. The cellular infiltrate was significantly reduced in the sarcoid subjects compared with the controls for all cell phenotypes studied; the ratio of CD4 positive:CD8 positive lymphocytes was significantly increased in the sarcoid group. Clinically negative reactions showed substantial numbers of infiltrating mononuclear cells, although not as great as in clinically apparent reactions.A clinically negative tuberculin reaction does not necessarily imply anergy to the test substance and should not be termed "negative".

Skin hyporeactivity in relation to patch testing

“…Several articles report this for patients with altered immune conditions: cancer (1)(2)(3)(4)(5), viral infections (6-9), Whipple's disease (10), mycosis fungoides (8,(11)(12)(13)(14) and sarcoidosis (15)(16)(17)(18)(19). These findings are referred to as skin anergy, a faulty cellular immune response and the opposite of allergy.…”

“…Prior to a single application of a selected contact Table 1. Observations of skin hyporeactivity/anergy Observations of skin hyporeactivity/anergy UV radiation (13-14, 26, 28) corticosteroid therapy (23)(24)(25)(26) immunomodulator treatment (22,(26)(27) sarcoidosis (15)(16)(17)(18)(19) cancer (1-5) viral infection (7), HIV (6), measles (8-9) Whipple's (10) mycosis fungoides (11)(12)(13)(14) allergen under a Finn Chamber for 24 h, the Ginkgo formulation was applied to intact skin 2¿ daily for 2 weeks. Visual scoring was performed 2 and 3 days after patch removal.…”