[The detection of chloramphenicol allergy by leucocyte migration inhibition test in the skin chamber (author's transl)].

In the leucocyte migration inhibition test in the skin chamber under in vivo conditions an immune reaction is induced, which influences the migration of polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leucocytes into the chamber in a characteristic way. An inhibition of the migration of leucocytes above 40 per cent is considered positive. In 16 out of 17 patients with chloramphenicol exanthema the test was positive. Five allergic patients with eczematous skin lesions presented negative results. In 14 controlpatients chloramphenicol caused a negative result, too. The mechanical irritation of the skin and the immune response produce different mechanisms, which promote and inhibit migration. The observed influence of the number of leukocyte in the skin chamber is the result of these mechanisms.