Diagnosis of granulomatous starch peritonitis by delayed hypersensitivity skin reactions

Intradermal skin tests were performed on 6 patients with histologically proved granulomatous starch peritonitis and on 15 control subjects. All patients with starch peritonitis developed an erythematous reaction at least 5 mm wide between 3 and 8 days after inoculation. Such a skin reaction was not seen at that time in any of the control subjects. The microscopic changes seen in the positive reactions were dense mononuclear perivascular exudates with organized giant cell or epithelioid cell granulomas in 4 patients and loose histiocytic aggregations in a fifth patient. This evidence of cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity suggests that an immunological response underlies granulomatous starch peritonitis and that intradermal skin tests are of value in its diagnosis.