[Immunosenescence: delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity tests in independently-living Chilean elderly individuals]. / Inmunosenescencia: pruebas cutáneas de hipersensibilidad retardada en adultos mayores chilenos autovalentes.

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. AIM: To study delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity in a group of healthy Chilean elders. MATERIAL AND 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.

[Immune modulating effect of intravenous gamma globulin in a patient with overlapping syndrome]. / Efecto inmunomodulador de gamaglobulina endovenosa en un caso de síndrome de sobreposición.

We report a 46 years old woman with a diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus and scleroderma overlapping syndrome. During treatment with steroids and azathioprine, the appearance of paresthesias and a progressive invalidating proximal weakness was interpreted as a steroidal myopathy. Steroidal treatment was progressively discontinued, but lupic activity and esophageal involvement exacerbated. Therefore, the use of immune modulating doses of intravenous gamma globulin (2 g/kg/total dose) was decided. The patient received this dose in two consecutive days and, 48 hours later, a notable improvement in esophageal function and general condition was verified. After six months of follow up, the disease remains inactive.

[Delayed hypersensitivity to evoked antigens: normal values in Chilean young adults]. / Hipersensibilidad retardada a antígenos de evocación: valores normales en adultos jóvenes chilenos.

Delayed hypersensitivity skin test are widely accepted as in vivo measure of cellular immunity. Since genetic and environmental factors may affect these tests, each population must establish its own normal values. The aim of this work was to study delayed hypersensitivity in Chilean normal young adults. We studied the response to eight antigens using the Multitest CMI (Rhodia Merieux) in 50 students (22 females, 28 males), aged 18 to 25 years old. Skin tests were read at 24, 48 and 72 hours. At 48 Hours, 60% of women responded to 3 and 68% of men to 4 antigens. A mean response to 3.6 antigens was observed. Total score in men and women were 19.5 +/- 7.3 and 12.2 +/- 6.5 mm respectively (p < 0.05). These figures are different from those published abroad and confirm the need for national standards.

Inmunidad en fiebre tifoidea. / Immunity in thyphoid fever

El objetivo de esta experiencia consiste de diferentes parametros inmunologicos, humorales y celulares en un grupo de enfermos con fiebre tifoidea; asimismo, en la medida de lo posible, se trata de establecer alguna forma de relacion entre los cambios observados y la evolucion clinico bacteriologica