[Cutaneous reactions to ubiquitous antigens in a young population hospitalized for minor pathologies]

Delayed hypersensitivity was evaluated by means of skin testing with ubiquitous antigens (Candidin, Tricophytin, Varidase and PPD) in a population of 233 young subjects (mean age 21 years, range 19-24) referred to the Army Hospital of Milan for minor pathologies. The results show a high incidence of anergies (20.1%) and hypoergies (50.9%) in the sample studied and low percentages of positive responses to Candidin (12.45%), Tricophytin (3%) and PPD (15.9%). A significant enhancement of the percentages of anergic subjects has also been observed in two subgroups selected on the basis of blood lymphocyte count (less than 1250 cells/mm2) (p less than 0.01) and on gamma-globulin levels (greater than 1.5 g/100 ml) (p less than 0.05). The observed findings are discussed.