Delayed hypersensitivity skin reactions in the induction phase of remission in acute non lymphoid leukemias.

Delayed skin reactions to Tuberculin (10 units, intradermal) and Candidin (1:1000, intra dermal) were studies in a homogenous group of 41 patients with acute non lymphoid leukemias in their initial phase. Remission-rate is higher in non-anergic patients (63%) than in anergic patients (32%), (p less than 0.05). Death-rate (within 30 days after chemotherapy) is higher in anergic patients (50%) than in non-anergic patients (16%), (p less than 0.05). There is no correlation between delayed skin reactions and age, initial absolute counts of neutrophil-lymphocyte-monocyte-blast cells, and results of humoral immunity. Delayed skin reactions are interesting in defining a high-risk group in the induction phase of remission of acute non lymphoid leukemias.