Lymphocyte transformation test in uveal pathology

Comparative studies of skin tests and in vitro lymphocyte transformation tests were found to be fruitful with the following antigens: tuberculin and PPD, Streptococcus, vaccine and protein M of Streptococcus, candidin, herpes antigen, Brucella antigen, antigen from autologous saliva. Three types of response occur: (1) positive skin test with syndromic ocular reaction and positive LTT: the diagnosis of hypersensitivity is certain; (2) positive skin test without syndromic reaction but positive LTT in vitro; less sensitive than the in vivo test but enhancing the value of the latter; the diagnosis is presumptive, and (3) skin test positive or negative and LTT negative: indicates that the in vitro test is less sensitive than the in vivo one. Practical interest of this comparison stems from those cases in whom skin testings is contra-indicated because it is considered to be dangerous (macular choroiditis, Eales' disease). Specific desensitization treatment was carried out on most of the cases and seemed to be effective in several of them.