[Evaluation by delayed hypersensitivity immune reactions of the infectious risk in digestive surgery. Experience with...

Immunity reactivity in 1300 patients during digestive surgery and intensive care was determined by delayed hypersensitivity cutaneous tests. A significant correlation (p less than 0.0001) existed between anergy, the risk of infection and mortality from sepsis (36,5% vs 1,3%) and during sequential changes in test results with prognosis (59% vs 2,9%) (p less than 0.001). Factors capable of influencing immune responses are: neoplasm (296 patients); poor nutrition (114 patients); infections (308 patients). The risk of infection and improvement in prognosis was obtained by control of anergy by means of a high protein-high calorie diet (57 cases), and by attacking infection and stimulating immunity (190 patients) by BCG followed by DTC. The use of disposable, preloaded multiple-puncture equipment, that is simple and rapid in use and in interpretation, provides a current reliable means for evaluating the risk of infection in digestive surgery.