[Dinitrochlorobenzene test in patients with chronic nephritis]

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Nephrology
• Clinical Chemistry

Background:

• Chronic nephritis can affect immune function.
• Cell-mediated immunity is crucial for assessing immune status.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate cell-mediated immunity in chronic nephritis patients using the Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) test.
• To investigate the relationship between DNCB reactivity and non-protein nitrogen (NPN) levels in these patients.

Main Methods:

• Application of the Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) skin test to 22 chronic nephritis patients.
• Monitoring of non-protein nitrogen (NPN) levels and DNCB test responses.
• Observation of immune response recovery post-NPN normalization.

Main Results:

• Only 22% of chronic nephritis patients exhibited positive DNCB test results.
• Elevated NPN levels were associated with suppressed DNCB reactivity.
• Normal DNCB responses reappeared approximately 12 hours after NPN levels normalized.
• Some patients with high NPN showed normal DNCB reactivity and delayed organ transplant rejection times.

Conclusions:

• High non-protein nitrogen (NPN) levels transiently inhibit DNCB reactivity in chronic nephritis patients.
• Specific components within NPN are suggested to be responsible for this immunosuppressive effect.
• Chronic nephritis patients may still exhibit immune competence for organ transplantation despite altered DNCB test results.