Immune responses in patients with chronic Trichophyton rubrum infections

Abstract

Summary Thirty‐five patients were studied who were infected with Trichophyton species. There was a marked reduction in the incidence of delayed hypersensitivity skin responses in Trichophyton rubrum infections (12%) as compared with those patients who were infected with other dermatophytes (75%). There was no difference in the extent of leukocyte migration in either of the clinical groups infected with Trichophyton rubrum but inhibition was demonstrated in patients infected with other Trichophyton species. Nearly one half of those infected with T. rubrum were atopic as defined by history, present symptoms or a positive immediate wheal and flare reaction to T. rubrum. Reasons for the incidence of atopy and the poor cell‐mediated responses are discussed.

Inflammation and Immunity in Dermatophytosis

“…They further obtained evi dence that type I hypersensitivity in atopic subjects antag onizes the effect of cellular immunity locally [21]. They concluded that deficient or compromised cellular immuni ty is a correlate of susceptibility to dermatophyte infec tions from a study of experimental dermatophytosis in naturally infected subjects [22], In vitro assays of T lym phocyte functions also demonstrated a deficiency of cellu lar immunity as well as a high incidence of atopy in indi viduals with chronic dermatophytosis [23][24][25], Another interesting point about the chronicity is the high incidence of palmoplantar infections [25] and that of T.rubrum infections [26]. both of which are associated with low in vitro T lymphocyte reactivity.…”

Failure of treatment in chronic dermatophyte infections

“…The method used in the leucocyte migration inhibition test has already been described (Hay and Brostoff, 1977). The test was carried out in sterile plastic chambers and peripheral blood leucocytes were used.…”

Diversity of the Human Allergen-Specific T Cell Repertoire Associated with Distinct Skin Test Reactions: Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity-Associated Major Epitopes Induce Th1- and Th2-Dominated Responses

“…The dermatophyte fungus Trichophyton elicits distinct skin test reactions in different individuals. Immediate hypersensitivity (IH) 3 responses are associated with chronic recurrent infections and the presence of serum IgG, and IgG4 Ab, in addition to IgE Ab, specific for Trichophyton Ags (7)(8)(9)(10). Furthermore, improvement of asthma symptoms in a subset of IH responders with late-onset asthma after treatment with the systemic antifungal fluconazole has provided convincing evidence for the role of Ags derived from Trichophyton in allergic disease (11).…”