Ultraviolet Radiation Induced Suppression of Mantoux Reactions in Humans

Abstract

The effects of low dose ultraviolet (UV) radiation on delayed type hypersensitivity responses to tuberculin purified protein derivative were investigated in 17 healthy, Mantoux-positive volunteers. Suberythemal and erythemal doses of solar simulated UV from a fluorescent lamp source were delivered to the subjects' lower backs daily for five consecutive days. Mantoux testing with intradermally injected purified protein derivative was then performed at both the irradiated sites and an adjacent, unirradiated site, and the Mantoux induced erythema was quantitated 72 h later with a reflectance erythema meter. In comparison with the unirradiated Mantoux sites, Mantoux induced erythema was significantly reduced at the irradiated test sites. In six subjects, we compared the effects of chronic versus short term UV irradiation on the Mantoux reaction. These volunteers were irradiated on one side of their lower backs with the 5 d UV protocol, and on the other side of their backs for 4 or 5 wk. In all but one subject, the short irradiation protocol induced greater suppression of Mantoux responses than prolonged UV exposure. We conclude that even suberythemal doses of UV significantly reduce delayed type hypersensitivity responses to purified protein derivative, and that an adaptive mechanism appears to counteract the immunosuppressive effects of chronic irradiation.

Evaluation of the inner thigh as site for mantoux test among children in Owerri South Eastern Nigeria

“…This difference was statistically significant. A similar result was obtained by Moyal, 5 Kuchel, 6 Damian 8 and Wammanda 10 et al when they examined Mantoux induration measurements without a set cutoff point. Since the Mantoux tests on the inner thigh and the volar surface of the forearm were concurrently applied, the most likely explanation for this observed difference would be the presence of a factor that could negatively influence the delayed type of hypersensitivity reaction in the children in a differential way.…”

“…3,4 Immunosupression induced by ultraviolet rays (UVR) has been shown to alter the skin response to the Mantoux test negatively. [5][6][7][8][9] Furthermore, It has been observed that even modest doses of UV rays can significantly reduce local delayed type IV hypersensitivity (DTH) response to recall antigens, and that recent sun exposure should be considered a possible cause of false negative Mantoux response. 5 Kuchel and Barnetson 8 documented a clear reduction in the Mantoux response at UV irradiated site when compared to the un-irradiated site.…”

Ecologic analysis of some immune-related disorders, including type 1 diabetes, in Australia: latitude, regional ultraviolet radiation, and disease prevalence.

“…Recent photoimmunologic work shows that UVR downregulates cellular immunity (Damian et al 1998;Kelly et al 1998), attenuating T-helper (Th)1 Tcell-mediated immune responses . These responses are thought to be significantly involved in some autoimmune disorders such as MS, type 1 diabetes, and RA (Mackay 2000).…”

Topical capsaicin reduces ultraviolet radiation-induced suppression of Mantoux reactions in humans

“…The Mantoux reaction is used clinically to assess previous exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis or the Bacille Calmette Guerin vaccine, and has been used previously in our laboratory as a model of UV immunosuppression in humans [5,6].…”