anergy

Chapter: 9b
The lack of a type IV hypersensitivity response (78), often seen in patients with immunodeficiency syndromes, is known as anergy. This presents a difficult clinical problem when skin testing for tuberculosis, since the physician is then unsure whether a patient has been exposed to tuberculosis. Some clinical guidelines on this problem are available from the CDC.

References

  1. MMWR 40 (RR-5) 27-33, 1991. CDC Prevention Guidelines. Purified protein derivative (PPD)-tuberculin anergy and HIV infection.