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Delayed hypersensitivity in alcoholic cirrhosis

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Abstract

Since there is evidence for an increased incidence of infection in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver, a study was performed to determine whether or not impairment of delayed hypersensitivity reaction was a contributory factor. Fifty consecutive patients with alcoholic cirrhosis were studied. The dermal antigens employed were DNCB (2,4-dinitro-1-chlorobenzene), PPD, histoplasmin, streptokinase-streptodornase, coccidioidin and candida. Thirty-two percent of the patients could not be sensitized to DNCB, in contrast to an expected number of 5% in control groups (X2>9,P<0.01). Of the 50 patients tested, 7 reacted negatively to all the antigens including DNCB. No significant difference in reaction was found between the patients and the controls for coccidioidin, histoplasmin, PPD, candida or streptokinase-streptodornase. This evidence indicates that there is a partial impairment of the delayed hypersensitivity reaction in some patients with alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver, and complete impairment to the antigens employed in a lesser number.

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Author notes

  1. Bernard Straus MD, FACP (Director of Medicine) & Magdalena R. Berenyi MD

    Present address: Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Medical Center, 10 Nathan D. Perlman Place, 10003, New York, NY

Authors and Affiliations

  1. From the Department of Medicine, New York Medical College Center for Chronic Disease, New York, NY

    Bernard Straus MD, FACP (Director of Medicine), Magdalena R. Berenyi MD, Ji-Ming Huang MD & Eugene Straus MD

Authors
  1. Bernard Straus MD, FACP
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  2. Magdalena R. Berenyi MD
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  3. Ji-Ming Huang MD
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  4. Eugene Straus MD
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Straus, B., Berenyi, M.R., Huang, JM. et al. Delayed hypersensitivity in alcoholic cirrhosis. Digest Dis Sci 16, 509–516 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02235541

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02235541

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