Development of delayed hypersensitivity to dinitrochlorobenzene in patients with Crohn's disease.

Ultrastructure of the Ileum in Crohn's Disease

“…Although this controversy is as yet far from settled, the wellknown beneficial effect of corticosteroid therapy on its clinical course together with recent reports of a similar effect OE treatment with cytostatics (5, 8,17) form strong corroborative evidence in favour of a role of immunity in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease. In line herewith are the reported observations of impaired cell-mediated immunity in such patients both in vivo (9) and in vitro (6,14), which together with the "rather disputed) intracutaneous Kveim antigen positivity (11) and the intestinal and lymphatic granulomata encoun-5 -Scand. J. Gastroant tered in up to 60-70 per cent of patients with Crohn's disease seems to form a pathogenetic link between this disorder and that of sarcoidosis.…”

Thalidomide Induces Granuloma Differentiation in Sarcoid Skin Lesions Associated with Disease Improvement

“…Partial or complete cutaneous anergy to skin testing occurs in sarcoidosis patients using a wide range of specific antigens (43)(44)(45)(46)(47). The functional response of peripheral lymphocytes to stimulation in vitro, including production of IL-2 and IFN-␥, is also impaired in sarcoid patients (48,49).…”

Electron microscopy in Crohn's disease

“…Mitchell and Rees (1970) say that the reaction to the Kveim test is similar in Crohn's disease and sarcoidosis; in the latter disease delayed hypersensitivity is depressed. Jones, Housley, Ashurst, and Hawkins (1969), using dinitrochlorobenzene, found evidence of depressed delayed hypersensitivity, and Walker and Greaves (1969) found a reduced response to mitogenic stimulation with phytohaemagglutinin in patients with Crohn's disease. All this, and other recent work reviewed by Lennard-Jones and Morson (1969), and the response to corticosteroid and azathioprine therapy, indicates the existence of an 'altered immune responsiveness' in Crohn's diseasepossibly an abnormal delayed hypersensitivity reaction.…”