Decreased cellular immune response in wasted but not in stunted children

Abstract BCG immunization was given to 114 rural Mexican children who had not responded with a positive reaction to a previous tuberculin test. A second tuberculin test was given to these children 5 weeks after the immunization. Heights, weights and upper-arm circumferences were also measured at these two time points. The diameter of induration resulting from the tuberculin test was measured. The percent of E rosette-forming lymphocytes and the mean number of sheep red blood cells (SRBC) per lymphocyte were also determined in 27 of these children. The diameter of the induration, the percent of rosette-forming lymphocytes and the mean number of SRBC per lymphocyte were positively associated with measures of wasting, but not with measures of stunting. We conclude that cell-mediated immunity is impaired in wasted, even when mild to moderate, but not in stunted children.