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Skin test conversion following transfer factor. A double-blinded study of normal individuals
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|February 1, 1978
Summary
Skin test conversion, used to assess cellular immunity, showed significant variability. This study found that control solutions were as effective as transfer factor (TF) in causing skin test conversion, highlighting the need for rigorous study designs.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cellular Immunity
Background:
- Skin test conversion is a common method to evaluate changes in cellular immune status.
- However, this assay has a considerable potential for variability in testing outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To reassess the reliability of skin test conversion as a measure of cellular immune status.
- To evaluate the activity of transfer factor (TF) in inducing skin test conversion in a double-blinded, randomized study.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-three healthy individuals with negative tuberculin skin tests were randomly assigned to receive either dialyzable TF, column-purified TF, hypoxanthine, or saline.
- Skin test reactivity to tuberculin and keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) was assessed by three investigators.
Main Results:
- Nine of 20 TF recipients and 7 of 13 controls showed increased tuberculin reactivity post-transfer.
- Four reactions exceeded 10 mm.
- Fourteen of 20 TF recipients and 7 of 13 controls displayed KLH reactivity after transfer.
- Control solutions demonstrated similar efficacy to TF preparations in inducing skin test conversion.
Conclusions:
- The findings indicate that control solutions are as effective as transfer factor preparations in causing skin test conversion.
- This underscores the critical importance of employing controlled, double-blinded studies when utilizing serial skin test reactivity to assess human cellular immune status.
