Delayed hypersensitivity on a surgical service

Two hundred patients assessed for nutritional deficiencies were analyzed for reaction to skin testing with common antigens and the incidence of sepsis and death. Only 39% of all skin tests were positive, though 50% of the patients had at least one positive test. Associated diagnoses revealed a high incidence of malnutrition, cancer, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Analysis using Chi-square and Gamma shows good statistical correlation between skin tests and sepsis and death. Those with negative tests (anergic) using PPD, Candida, and mumps had a threefold higher mortality. Major sepsis also increased in the skin negative group (+80%), but here the incidence varied directly with the number of positive skin tests. Mortality, unlike sepsis, was influenced only by the presence of delayed hypersensitivity and was not related to the number of positive reactions. The basic rate of infection or mortality was not influenced by major surgery.