Abstract
Skin test reactivity and in-vitro lymphocyte stimulation responses to V-Z were examined in a large normal population ranging in age from 6 months to 93 years. Emphasis was on evaluation of specific immune competence of the aged. V-Z antigen was prepared from an infected culture of diploid cells. Positive V-Z skin test reactivity by age was as follows: 0-12 mo.(non-immune) 0%; 1-10 yr.-100%; 10-20 yr.-100%; 20-30 yr.-96%; 30-40 yr.-92%; 40-50 yr.-72%; 50-60 yr.-39%; and 60-100 yr.-9%. Thus, waning of cellular immunity as examined by skin delayed hypersensitivity began at age 40. Skin test responses to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) however, remained positive into the 10th decade. In-vitro lymphocyte stimulation responses to V-Z were usually positive (stimulation index ≥ 2.5) until age 60 after which time levels as observed with non-immune individuals were often demonstrated. These in-vitro results appear more sensitive in discriminating susceptibility to reactivation disease. Similar data were observed in a large group of cancer patients who, at a younger age, have depressed reactivity and likewise represent a high risk group for V-Z infection. Antibody as measured by FAMA (fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen) remained positive into the 9th and 10th decades, especially with a history of reactivation (Zoster) V-Z infection; on the other hand, skin test and in-vitro responses were rarely positive in those individuals. Thus, cellular as contrasted with humoral deficiency may account for a propensity to reactivation of varicella-zoster virus.
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Burke, B., Davis, R., Marnier, D. et al. 463 CELLULAR IMMUNE RESPONSES TO VARICELLA-ZOSTER (VZ) IN THE AGED. Pediatr Res 15 (Suppl 4), 517 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-00476
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-00476