Circulatory adaptation to the increased metabolism in the skin at the site of the tuberculin reaction

Abstract

The sequence of changes at the site of a positive tuberculin test response were studied in 19 healthy young adults who had been immunised with BCG in childhood. The development of erythema preceded that of induration and both were most intense at 48-72 h. The strongest reactions showed higher laser Doppler (LD) flux at the periphery than at the center (central relative slowing). All showed a substantial reduction in steady-state (ss) tcpO2 from 24 h onwards and the oxygen consumption rate (mlO2.kg-1.min-1), calculated from the rate of fall in tcpO2 during temporary cuff occlusion of arterial input, was raised (greater than two-fold) throughout the period of study (to 96 h). The density of lymphocytes and macrophages in the inflammatory infiltrate in the dermis was related to the fall in tcpO2.ss and to the extent of thickening of the dermis. These experiments showed that the previously healthy dermal microcirculation can adapt to temporary increase in metabolic demands of leucocytes emigrated from the circulation into the tissue: in intense delayed hypersensitivity (DHS) reactions there is considerable hypoxia and respiratory debt, but maintenance of viability in the short-term. It is likely that similar adaptations occur in the period of establishment of microbial infection.