Immunology of dermatophytes and dermatophytosis.

Effect of infection with Trichophyton mentagrophytes varietas interdigitale on phagocytosis in humans

“…Phagocytosis was examined by the Hersy method. 4 Values of cellular ingestion, digestion, antigen-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and random mobility of PMNLs were determined and compared with values in a control group of 100 healthy volunteers.…”

Human epidermal Langerhans cells induce cellular immune response to trichophytin in dermatophytosis

“…The importance of cell-mediated immunity in eradication of superficial dermatophyte infections is well documented (Grappel et al, 1974). It is generally accepted that dermatophytes are present mainly in the stratum corneum, and antigenic activity has been demonstrated in vivo around the invading hyphae (Holden, Hay & McDonald, 1980).…”

“…a proliferative response in vitro to PPD and herpes simplex virus antigen (HSV-Ag), similar in strength to that seen in autologous combinations can only be obtained when epidermal cells share both HLA-D/DR determinants with the sensitized T-cell donor (Braathen & Thorsby, 1982a;Berle, Braathen & Thorsby, 1982). Dermatophytes are capable of eliciting cell-mediated immune responses both in vivo and in vitro (Grappel, Bishop & Blank, 1974). However, it is not known how the dermatophyte antigen is exposed to the immune system.…”

Tinea barbae associated with erythema nodosum in an immunocompetent man

“…13 The mechanism responsible for this is unknown but may involve a local immunological response to systemically adsorbed fungal antigen. 14 In our case we can hypothesize that the release of antigen as an effect of the therapy with griseofulvin may have been the precipitating factor of the id reaction. The support for this is the resolution of the lesions after 6 weeks of therapy.…”