Search

22 patients with Trichophyton rubrum infection were studied for some of their immunological parameters. The trichophytin skin test performed with commercially available Dermatophytin (Hollister-Stier) gave immediate positive reaction in 3 patients. All the other patients gave negative delayed and retarded reactions. In vitro response to PHA of the peripheral lymphocytes was significantly depressed in patients compared to the controls. No relationship could, however, be established between the severity, duration or extent of the disease and the depression of the lymphocyte response. IgG and IfA were found to be within normal limits. IgM levels were significantly depressed which was probably artefactual in nature.

Complement-fixing antibodies to the heat-inactivated keratinase II of Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. granulosum were detectable in sera from approximately 40% of the Hartley strain guinea pigs previously infected with this dermatophyte. However, no precipitating antibodies to the heat-inactivated keratinase II were detectable in these sera. Guinea pigs immunized with the heat-inactivated keratinase II had both complement-fixing and precipitating antibodies to the keratinase II. Circulating antibodies in sera from both the infected and the immunized guinea pigs also reacted with the active keratinase II but did not inhibit its proteolytic activity.

The atopic chronic dermatophytosis syndrome is uncommon in children. Clinical and immunological characteristics are reviewed. The infecting fungus is Trichophyton rubrum, occasionally Trichophyton interdigitale.