[Analysis and differentiation of cytergic immune reactions: tuberculine type and cutaneous basophilic hypersensitivity (author's transl)].

The classic delayed tuberculine reaction represents a T-cell mediated immune reaction, detectable already before the formation of antibodies in the course of proteine sensitization. Myocobacteria stimulate and enhance this reaction. The skin test reaction needs the whole antigen for induction. The reaction starts 6 to 8 hours later, shows maximal development 24 to 28 (-72) hours later and is characterized by inflammation, induration, sometimes with hemorrhagies, necroses and ulceration, a macrophage infiltration is typical in the histological picture. During the reaction between antigen and sensitized T-cells mediators are set free which act by the way of unspecific stimulation on T-, B-lymphocytes and macrophages, otherwise they may inhibit macrophage migration. The delayed reaction is active in many infectious diseases and in the rejection of transplants and tumours. The cutaneous basophilic hypersensitivity (Jones-Mote) is a T-cell mediated immune reaction, detectable even before the classic delayed reaction after sensitization with tiny up to large doses of proteines. The skin reaction needs the whole antigen for induction, is visible 2 to 4 hours later in form of an inflammation with slight swelling and reaches maximal development 12 to 24 hours later without hemorrhagies or necroses. The infiltration consists mainly of basophilic leucocytes. There exists a weaker avidity of the T-cells of the cutaneous basophilic hypersensitivity compared to the T-cells of the delayed reaction or to the amount of antibodies. Therefore this reaction is easily suppressed by other immune reactions. In contactdermatitis and vaccine virus infections of the guinea pig the cutaneous basophilic hypersensitivity consists for weeks and months because under these circumstances other immune reactions do not compete. The differentiation of the two reactions shall develop to a routine laboratory procedure due to their therapeutic consequences in the immune diagnostic field.