[Delayed cutaneous response to different antigens in household contacts of leprosy patients and controls]

The delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response to PPD, candidin and histoplasmin, and Mitsuda reaction (MR) in household contacts (HC) of multibacillary (HCM) and paucibacillary (HCP) leprosy patients, and non exposed controls was studied. Intradermal tests with 0.1 ml. of each antigen were performed and read after 48 hours. Late nodular reaction to ML (MR) was evaluated at the 21st day post-challenge. As we had formerly demonstrated, MR was depressed in HCM. Interestingly, this reaction was also depressed in HCP to a lesser magnitude. HCM had a lower DTH response to histoplasmin in relation to PPD and candidin when persons were simultaneously challenged with the three antigens. According to these results we conclude that: a), HCM have a depression in late lepromin reaction; b), in HCP the depression in MR is of a lower magnitude. We hypothesize that in healthy contacts of bacilliferous patients an active mechanism of immunosuppression to mycobacterial antigens may be produced. Alterations in the skin response to histoplasmin is discussed.