Humoral or Cell-Mediated Immunodiagnostics?

Abstract

Essentially all of our discussion thus far has focussed on measurements for a humoral immune (antibody) response, but could assessments for activation of other immune markers be possible? Evidence for the development of delayed-type hypersensitivity has been found after experimental infection or immunization.^278–280 This form of immune response might be assessed either by skin testing (analogous to the delayed appearance of induration and erythema which is seen with the positive Mantoux test for tuberculosis) or by in vitro assessments of cellular proliferation after antigenic stimulus. Delayed-type hypersensitivity for M. pneumoniae seems to be dependent on glycolipid-depleted, water-soluble antigen.^279,280 Again there is a parallel with Mantoux testing where a purified protein derivative of M. tuberculosis is used. Similar markers for delayed-type hypersensitivity after human M. pneumoniae infection have not been fully explored. It has been recognized though that acute M. pneumoniae infection can be associated with transient suppression of delayed-type hypersensitivity to other bacteria e.g. tuberculin anergy.²⁸¹