Journal of Immunology and Immunopathology

Cell mediated immunity (CMI) is mainly associated with the T-lymphocytes. Augmentation of the cell mediated immunity with advancing age was appraised using lymphocyte stimulation test (LST) with Con A as mitogen and delayed type hypersensitivity reaction (DTH) with dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) as allergen. The mean delta OD of Con A stimulated T-cell culture was 0.109, 0.279, 0.339, 0.365 and 0.373 during the 1^st, 3^rd, 6^th, 9^th and 26^th week of age respectively. The gross lesions, after challenge by the allergen DNCB, incorporated erythema, indurations, ulceration and scab formation. The mean skin thickness at 0, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours post challenge was recorded as 2.98±0.28, 3.14±0.31, 3.36±0.32, 3.61±0.35, 3.72±0.35 mm respectively. These values for control skin were 2.65±0.26, 2.72±0.27, 2.76±0.28, 2.78±0.28 and 2.77±0.27 mm on corresponding hours of observation. The present study demonstrated an increase in blastogenic response of T-cells from 1^st wk to 26^th week of age