In vitro tests of cellular immunity in man.

Abstract

There has been a recent rapid increase in the number of assays for cellular immunity in man and in information related to the mechanisms underlying the observed reactions. These tests have been applied clinically for three main purposes: (a) Evaluation of cell-mediated immune competence of patients with primary immune deficiencies and of possible immunological depression associated with cancer or other diseases. (b) Determination of major differences in histocompatibility antigens which might be important in rejection of organ transplants. Some cellular immune assays have become part of the routine battery of assays used for immunological evaluation of potential donors and recipients. (c) Measurement of specific immune reactivity against antigens associated with a variety of diseases, including infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases and cancer.