Intradermal responses to common bacterial antigens: influences of sex and clinical condition.

Intradermal responses to antigens of 12 common bacteria were evaluated in 218 dermatologic and 155 respiratory patients. Women responded more frequently than men and respiratory patients responded significantly more frequently than dermatologic patients to certain antigens. Interpretation of interspecies associations of responses suggested that certain organisms may be key species in the development of bacterial hypersensitivity.