TOPICAL ZINC AND DELAYED HYPERSENSITIVITY RESPONSIVENESS

The manifestations of zinc deficiency are protean. It is difficult to pinpoint specific features because multiple metabolic steps are impaired simultane-ously. Consequently, such nonspecific clinical signs as growth failure and anorexia predominate. Other common manifestations include altered taste acuity, ’ 1 impaired reproductive functions, ~ 2 teratogenesis,3 3 mental changes, 1-7 epithelial changes including alo-pecia, dermatitis, hyperkeratosis, and impaired wound healing, ~ and attenuated immune function. Zinc deficiency profoundly affects the T-cell system. Lymphocytopenia and impaired cell-mediated im-munity are frequently noted with zinc deficiency. In experimental zinc deficiency, the thymus and spleen are markedly atrophic, 9-10 and decreased number