Abstract

Background: Delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity tests are a globally accepted test to assess cellular immunity in vivo. The quality and quantity of the response to these type of tests, varies in different populations. Aim: To study delayed cutaneous (32 male), aged 60 to 76 years old were studied. Multitest-GMI(R) was applied in the left forearm. This test allows the subcutaneous administration of seven antigens and a glycerin control. Results were compared with those of a group of young adults studied by the authors. Results: Among males there was a mean of 2.7 +/- 1.4 positive responses compared with women, that had 1.7 +/- 1 positive responses (p = 0.016). The sum of response diameters was 4.2 +/- 1.5 and 3.6 +/- 1.9 mm in men and women respectively (p = NS). Compared to young adults, elderly women had a lower response to tetanus and diphtheria toxoids and men had a lower response to delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity tests than young adults. This response must be assessed in each population to account for regional variability.