Partial reversal of the cellular immune defect in common variable immunodeficiency with indomethacin

We administered indomethacin (25 mg q.i.d.) to two patients with common variable immunodeficiency and measured the effect on their depressed cellular immune responses. The in vitro response of both patients' lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin increased during indomethacin administration. Both patients were anergic to skin testing before treatment and responded to two of four skin tests during treatment with indomethacin. Thus indomethacin administration in vivo appears to enhance the cellular immune respone, paralleling its previously described effects in vitro.