To assess cell mediated immunity in herpes zoster patients, we evaluated delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions by Multietest CMI(r) kit in 120 herpes zoster patients and 40 controls. Delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions is
quantified
by a
score (the sum of the diameters of induration) and a number of positive antigens at 48 hours.
@ES The results were summarized as follows:
@EN 1. In patients group, the average score were 10.8±6.42 mm in men and 9.10±5.03mm in women. The average number of positive antigens were 3.38±1.38 in men and 2.58±1.41 in women(p<0.05).
2. In control group, the average score were 16.60±4.34 mm in men and 14.40±3.35 mm in women. The average number of positive antigens were 3.80±0.81 in mean and 3.25±0.69 in women(p<0.05).
3. The patients group had an average score significantly lower that that of control subjects (9.95±5.75mm for patients. 15.50±3.85mm for controls) (p<0.05).
4. The patient group had an average number of positive antigens significantly lower that that of control group(2.298±1.38 for patients group, 3.25±0.75 for control group)(p<0.05).
5. Average score of patients group above 50 years of age (7.90±5.26mm) was significantly lower than that of patients group below 50 years of age (11.20±6.05mm) (p<0.05).
6. Average score of control group above 50 years of age (13.09±4.20mm) was significantly lower than that of control group below 50 years of age (17.32±3.57mm) (p<0.05).
7. Average score of the patients had associate with hypertension. Diabetes mellitus, hepatic diseases, were similar to that of other patients(8.10±5.82mm for hypertension, 8.97±4.98mm for diabetes mellitus, 9.25±6.32 mm for hepatic diseases,
10.98±5.92mm for others).
8. Tuberculin was the antigen giving the strongest reaction and the highest reaction rate in both groups, while tetanus gave the lowest reaction rate in both groups.
9. The percentages of anergy were 2.5% in the patients group and zero % in the control group. the percentages of hypoanergy were 37.5% in the patients group and 0.5% in the control.
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