ANERGY, DYSIMMUNOGLOBULINEMIA, AND UNEXPLAINED INFLAMMATION - A NEW THERAPEUTIC APPROACH WITH A CHEMICALLY DEFINED DIET

Immunologic and metabolic studies in a patient with unexplained dermatitis following intercurrent infections revealed evidence of impaired immunologic function and evidence suggestive of catabolism in excess of tissue repair. This combination of clinical findings shares many of the attributes of wasting disease. Compensation of the disease process was accomplished with a chemically defined diet. Exposure of this patient to a normal diet and bowel flora was associated with lymphopenia and with delayed cutaneous anorgy. The remission of anergy and the clinical improvement resulting from diet therapy suggests a new therapeutic approach in patients with compromised immunologic function. © 1969.