Tuberculin reaction in atopic dermatitis

Abstract

Serial examinations of tuberculin reactivity were performed in 16 patients with atopic dcrmatitis (AD) and in 14 patients with allergic contact dermatitis. Transient suppression of already established tuberculin reactivity was seen in the contact dermatitis patients. Tuberculin reactivity in the AD patients also fluctuated with the condition of the dermatitis. When the dermatitis was active, there was diminished tuberculin reactivity. During remission of the dermatitis, however, a significam increase in tuberculin reactivity occurred. It is suggested that, in some patients with AD, the suppressed cell-mediated immunity may be secondary to the eczematous inflammatory process.