Impaired cell-mediated immunity in patients with kala-azar

Delayed hypersensitivity by intracutaneous tests with leishmanin, tuberculin, trichophytin, oidiomycin, as well as sensitization with DNCB were assessed in ten patients with kala-azar. There was a significant depression of delayed hypersensitivity to leishmanin (Montenegro reaction) during the active phase of the disease. The response to ubiquitous microbial antigens and DNCB were also depressed as compared to controls.