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Cutaneous-delayed hypersensitivity was studied by one and two-step Mantoux-type skin tests to four standard antigens in 33 elderly nursing home residents, 34 geriatric clinic patients, and 20 healthy young adult controls. Demographic and anthropometric data were collected to determine the effects of nutrition and other variables on cutaneous-delayed hypersensitivity. Anergy (a lack of response greater than 5 mm of induration when read at 48 hours) to any of the four antigens occurred in 34% of nursing home residents, 17% of geriatric clinic patients, and none of the healthy young adults. Mean and maximal responses were less in the nursing home residents than the clinic patients or controls, even if anergic individuals were excluded from analysis, suggesting both a qualitative and quantitative decline in cell-mediated immune function in this elderly population. Repeat testing with each antigen for which there was a negative initial response revealed a "booster" affect of 7 to 19% and occurred as commonly in the healthy young adults as in the nursing home residents or geriatric clinic patients. The mumps antigen elicited strong responses in the healthy young adults, but weak reactions in the nursing home residents. An unexpectedly high prevalence of positive tuberculin (PPD) responses occurred in the nursing home residents, suggesting recent exposure. Analysis of anthropometric and demographic characteristics show that neither nutritional status nor age alone can account for differences in cutaneous-delayed hypersensitivity observed between populations. Cutaneous-delayed hypersensitivity may vary widely between elderly populations and have important practical implications for the tuberculin test.

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