DINITROCHLOROBENZENE RESPONSIVITY IN DISSEMINATED COCCIDIOIDOMYCOSIS - INVERSE CORRELATION WITH COMPLEMENT-FIXING ANTIBODY TITERS

[摘要] The immunologic status of 25 patients with disseminated coccidioidomycosis (Coccidioides immitis) was evaluated by serum anticoccidioidin complement-fixing antibody levels, coccidioidin skin tests, and dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) sensitization. In the 10 patients who had disseminated disease and a complement-fixing titer of 1:32 or less, responses to DNCB were similar to those of 20 controls. In the 15 patients with disseminated disease and a complement-fixing titer of 1:64 or more, responses to DNCB were statistically significantly diminished compared to controls (P = 0.002). Since the complement-fixing titer is associated with extent of dissemination, these results signify a relationship betwen diminished DNCB responses and extensive dissemination. Of the several hypotheses which might explain this relationship, the most attractive is that of a nonspecific deficiency of cell-mediated immunity developing secondarily to extensive disseminated disease.