Early Regressive Changes during the Tuberculin Skin Reaction

Abstract

FOR an understanding of the pathogenesis of pathological processes, the initial stages of their development are usually most important. At first only the direct sequelæ of the causal agent play a part, and the position is not very complicated by regulatory and reparative processes aiming at the renewal of the normal state. The morphology of early stages of the hypersensitivity reaction of the delayed type has been examined by several authors^1–4, who directed attention mainly to the composition of the cell infiltrate. Because inflammatory infiltration is a result of tissue damage, I was interested rather in changes in tissues where the immunological reaction takes place.