The effect of cytoplasmic crude extracts of Trichophyton verrucosum on cell mediated immunity

ObjectiveTrichophyton verrucosum is a slow growing dermatophyte responsible for a number of skin diseases such as ringworm, and is characterized by patches of hair loss and thick crusts on the host skin in domestic animals. In this study, we examined the immunomodulatory effects of crude extract of Trichophyton verrucosum (TV)cytoplasm in a mouse model.MethodsThe TV variate was cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar and the mycelium was grinded by mechanical force. The purified protein was obtained from crude extract of the fungus, and protein concentration was measured by BradFord assay. Six to eight week-female BALB/c mice were divided into three groups: test group, receiving cytoplasmic crude extract plus defibrinated sheep blood; control group, receiving defibrinated sheep blood; and normal group, receiving normal saline. Injections were performed on days 0, 3, 5, 7 and 9 and the mice were sacrificed four days after the last injection. T lymphocyte metabolic activity was examined by methyl thiazol tetrazolium (MTT) assay, and also interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-γ (IFNγ) levels were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).ResultsMTT assay showed that the TV extract stimulated lymphocyte metabolic activity. ELISA results showed that despite increase in the level of IFNγ, no changes were observed in IL-4 level.ConclusionsResults indicated that crude extract of TV cytoplasm may probably act as an immune modulator, which affects Th₁ responses. The TV crude extract may be an appropriate agent to induce cellular immunity for combating dermatophytosis infection in animals; and therefore, TV extract may have some potential applications in vaccine/adjuvant technology.     

Zinc and selenium status in cows with dermatophytosis

Dermatophytosis (ringworm), an infection of the superficial keratinized structures of the skin and hair, is the most common contagious skin disease in cattle. The infectious diseases caused by dermatophytes are mainly related to the enzymes product by these fungi. Conversely, elements such as zinc and selenium are involved in the regulation of immune responses to infection. There are rare reports about the possible role of zinc and selenium concentration in the pathogenesis of cattle dermatophytosis. Thus, this study was conducted in a humid area of Iran on 35 healthy and 35 infected cows. After diagnosis confirmation by direct microscopic examination and fungi isolation via inoculation on Sabouraud dextrose agar using skin scrap and broken hair samples of infected cows, the zinc and selenium concentration of serum and hair in both groups were determined by potentiometric stripping analyzer and atomic absorption spectrometry, respectively. Results showed that serum concentration of selenium and zinc in cattle with dermatophytosis were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than the healthy ones. Although hair concentration of selenium and zinc in infected cattle were lower than the healthy ones, the differences were not significant (P > 0.05). In conclusion, it seems that zinc and selenium have a determinant role in immune status and the response of animal’s immunity system to dermatophytosis.     

Dermatophytic mycetoma of the scalp due to an atypical strain of Microsporum audouinii identified by MALDI-TOF MS and ITS sequencing

Dermatophytic mycetoma of the scalp is a rarity, especially when not associated with tinea capitis. Here, we report a case of dermatophytic mycetoma of the scalp, that was not associated with tinea capitis, caused by an atypical Microsporum audouinii strain. To our knowledge, this is the second reported case, thirty-eight years after the first that was published in 1980.     

Correlation between dermoscopy and direct microscopy in Tinea barbae

Tinea barbae is a rare form of dermatophytosis that affects hair follicles of the beard and moustache. Dermoscopy could prove useful to identify parasitism of hair of the beard, just as it has proven useful in the diagnosis of Tinea capitis. We present the first fully documented case series of T. barbae with clinical, dermoscopic and mycological features.     

Development and evaluation of indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for the serological diagnosis of Microsporum canis infection in humans

Purpose

The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the diagnostic potential of indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (I-ELISA) for the rapid and precise diagnosis of Microsporum canis infection in humans.

Skin Infection due to Trichophyton tonsurans Still Occurs in People in Korea but not as Outbreaks

Since 1995, Trichophyton tonsurans has been one of the causative agents of dermatophytosis in Korea. Herein we evaluate 77 patients infected with T. tonsurans who visited an outpatient clinic between 2004 and 2014. Infections due to T. tonsurans were diagnosed by mycological examination, which included direct microscopic examination using 15% KOH and culture in potato dextrose agar complemented with 0.5% chloramphenicol. The annual prevalence of infection due to T. tonsurans was the highest in 2014 (15 cases) but remained constant in non-gladiators between 2004 and 2014. The ratio of male to female patients was 1:0.3. The spring season presented the highest incidence compared with other seasons, with 27 cases. The incidence of infections due to T. tonsurans among gladiators was highest in spring compared with the other seasons whereas the incidence in non-gladiators was the highest in the winter. The body site most commonly affected was the face. Tinea corporis was the most common subtype of dermatophytosis caused by T. tonsurans. Herein, we demonstrate that the prevalence of infection with T. tonsurans remain constant throughout the study period in Korea.     

Inhibition of the growth of human dermatophytic pathogens by selected australian and asian plants traditionally used to treat fungal infections

ObjectiveSyzygium australe (H.L. Wnddl. ex. Link) B. Hyland, Syzygium luehmannii (F. Muell.) L.A.S. Johnson, Syzygium jambos L. (Alston), Terminalia ferdinandiana Exell. and Tasmannia lanceolata (Poir.) A.C.Sm. are used in traditional Australian Aboriginal and Asian healing systems to treat a variety of pathogenic diseases including fungal skin infections, yet they are yet to be examined for the ability to inhibit the growth of human dermatophytes.Materials and methodsThe fungal growth inhibitory activity of extracts produced from selected Australian and Asian plants was assessed against a panel of human dermatophytes by standard disc diffusion and liquid dilution MIC methods. The toxicity of the extracts was evaluated by Artemia lethality and MTS HDF cell viability assays. The phytochemistry of the most promising extracts were examined by GC-MS headspace analysis and some interesting compounds were highlighted.ResultsThe aqueous and methanolic extracts of all plant species were good antifungal agents, inhibiting the growth of all of the dematophytes tested. The methanolic S. australe (SA) and S. luehmannii (SL) extracts were particularly potent fungal growth inhibitors. MIC values of 39 and 53 μg/mL were recorded for the methanolic SL fruit extract against T. mentagrophytes and T. rubrum respectively. Similar MICs were also noted for the methanolic SL leaf extract (88 and 106 μg/mL respectively). The methanolic SL leaf extract was a particularly good fungal growth inhibitor, with MIC values ≤ 100 μg/mL against the reference C. albicans strain (96 μg/mL), E. floccosum (53 μg/mL), and T. mentagrophytes (88 μg/mL). This extract also produced MICs ≤ 200 μg/mL against all other fungal species/strains tested. Similarly good activity was seen for the methanolic S. australe leaf and fruit extracts, as well as the S. lehmannii fruit and S. jambos leaf extracts, with MIC values 100-500 μg/mL. Interestingly, these extracts had low toxicity and high therapeutic indices, indicating their suitability for clinical use. GC-MS headspace analysis highlighted several monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenoids in the methanolic SA and SL extracts. T. ferdinandiana and T. lanceolata extracts also had promising antifungal activity, albeit with substantially higher MICs.ConclusionWhilst multiple extracts inhibited fungal growth, the methanolic S. australe and S. luehmannii leaf extracts and the S. luehmannii fruit extracts showed particularly potent activity against each of these dermatophytes, indicating that they are promising leads for the development of anti-dermatophytic therapeutics.     

Increasing Prevalence of Trichophyton rubrum Identified through an Analysis of 115,846 Cases over the Last 37 Years

Trichophyton rubrum is the most common dermatophyte in the world with the highest prevalence in Korea. There are few reports about epidemiological and mycological characteristics of T. rubrum based on long-term, large-scale studies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of T. rubrum infections in Korea. We retrospectively investigated with patients'' records about the epidemiological and mycological status of 115,846 cases with T. rubrum infection that was mycologically diagnosed at Catholic Skin Disease Clinic from 1979 to 2013. Direct microscopy in 15% KOH solution and culture was done in each case. The annual incidence of patients with T. rubrum infection had been increasing during the period; and of 131,122 patients with dermatophytosis, 115,846 patients (88.35%) had T. rubrum infection. Disease was most prevalent among patients in their twenties in the 1970s and 1980s; in their thirties in the 1990s; in their forties in the 2000s; and in their fifties in the 2010s. The sex ratio was 1.5:1. T. rubrum infection was most commonly seen in summer and was found predominantly in patients living in urban areas. Toe webs were most frequently involved, followed by toenails and groin. This epidemiologic findings provide useful information for prevention of T. rubrum infection and future dermatophytosis prospects.

Graphical Abstract

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Système d'acquisition de réponses évoquées cérébrales et de pilotage de stimulation à base de microprocesseur

The microprocessor-based system is designed to study the cerebral responses (average evoked potentials) to sensory stimuli, and especially to auditory stimuli in real time. A stimulator with digital commands is controlled by the computer module. Up to eight different kinds of stimulations can be defined by the operator before the experiment. Their order and frequency may be fixed or random. Up to eight e.e.g. channels can be analysed simultaneously. While the data are being processed, the response on one of the eight channels is displayed on the screen of a cathode-ray tube. After the processing, all the responses can be drawn automatically on an analogXY plotting recorder, together with the relevant commentaries. The system also has other functions, such as automated calibration of each e.e.g. channel, checking of the quality of the signals before averaging, automated correction of the baseline shift and the possibility of extracting the short latency evoked-potential responses.