The effect of intravenous hyperalimentation on cell mediated immunity.

The effect of intravenous hyperalimentation (IVH) on cell mediated immunity was examined in 22 patients. Each patient received PHA and PPD skin tests before and after the performance of IVH. In this study both PHA and PPD skin reactivity showed significant increase after IVH, and serum albumin levels had positive correlation with the PPD skin reaction changes. Absence of the established delayed hypersensitivity in the surgical patient, especially those with malignant diseases, is probably secondary to generalized malnutrition, and established cell mediated immunity can be restored by proper nutritional repletion.