Assessment of cell‐mediated immunity in a British population using multiple skin test antigens

An in vivo method of assessing the competence of the cell‐mediated immune system (Multitest CMI) was used in 200 healthy volunteers (age range 17–88 years). The profile of reactivity to seven individual antigens was determined. A positive reaction was obtained in 96·5% of the subjects who reacted positively to at least one antigen with 78% reacting to two or more antigens. The number of positive responses and the degree of reactivity was significantly reduced in elderly subjects and in females aged 17–65 years. The Multitest CMI system provides a rapid and convenient method of assessing cell‐mediated immunity (CMI) in vivo and could have a wide range of applications in the investigation of immunological, infective and neoplastic conditions.