Suppressed cell-mediated immunity associated with eczematous inflammation.

In order to determine if an eczematous inflammation could have any influence upon already established cell-mediated immune reactivity, a widespread allergic as well as primary irritant, eczematous dermatitis was produced in tuberculin-sensitive guinea pigs. Their tuberculin reactivity was significantly suppressed both by allergic contact dermatitis due to dinitrochlorobenzene and by primary irritant dermatitis due to croton oil. After the dermatitis had subsided, tuberculin reactivity was restored to approximately the same level as before the induction of the dermatitis, which suggests that the suppression is temporary.