Diagnosis of delayed type hypersensitivity to Candida albicans. Evaluation of lymphocyte activation by flow cytometry (171 observations)

: Abnormal delayed-type hypersensitivy to Candida albicans, since it results in an excessive reaction of the immune system, is very difficult to diagnose. This study shows that the syndromic reaction observed after intradermal injection of an extract of Candida albicans, in patients suspected of abnormal delayed-type hypersensitivy to this antigen, is associated with the presence of specific circulating T cells, detectable through cell culture in the presence of Candida albicans. There is a very significant correlation between the clinical symptoms, the cutaneous tests, and the lymphocyte activation tests. This abnormal reactivity essentially involves the CD8 cells.