Delayed hypersensitivity response and vitamin D deficiency.

Abstract

The relationship between delayed hypersensitivity and serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were examined in sixty-three elderly people. After intracutaneous injection of five recall antigens (Candida, mumps, PPD, tricophyton and varidase) nineteen subjects showed no response (anergy), seven showed only a weak reaction (relative anergy), and thirty-seven a normal reaction. In the anergic group mean serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D was significantly lower than in the group with normal immunoreactivity. Five subjects with anergy and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D below 20 nmol/l were treated with oral vitamin D or UV irradiation for two to three months, after which both the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and the delayed hypersensitivity were normalized. In a non-treated group anergy persisted in seven out of nine patients in a second skin test. We conclude that anergy in the delayed hypersensitivity skin test in humans may in some cases be due to vitamin D deficiency.

• Authors: G Toss, T Symreng
• Journal: International journal for vitamin and nutrition research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Vitamin- und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal international de vitaminologie et de nutrition (Int J Vitam Nutr Res) Vol. 53 Issue 1 Pg. 27-31 ( 1983) ISSN: 0300-9831 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 6602115 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Ergocalciferols
• Vitamin D
• 25-Hydroxyvitamin D 2

Topics

• 25-Hydroxyvitamin D 2
• Aged
• Ergocalciferols (analogs & derivatives, blood)
• Female
• Humans
• Hypersensitivity, Delayed (immunology)
• Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes (etiology)
• Intradermal Tests
• Macrophages (immunology)
• Male
• Ultraviolet Therapy
• Vitamin D (therapeutic use)
• Vitamin D Deficiency (blood, immunology, therapy)