ABSTRACT
Some measures of systemic host defences, i.e. white cell counts, lymphocyte subsets, delayed-type hypersensitivity and polymorphonuclear leucocyte functions, were evaluated in 42 patients suffering from cutaneous superficial mycoses and in 35 healthy volunteers. Patients were divided according to the extent of their lesions into two groups: group A (30 patients) with skin involvement > or = 30% and group B (12 patients) with skin involvement < or = 1%. No significant abnormalities in systemic defence mechanisms were observed in group B patients, whereas multiple alterations of polymorphonuclear phagocyte activities, i.e. chemotaxis, phagocytosis, mitogen-induced superoxide anion production, were observed in patients with extensive lesions. The values of these phagocytic functions remained significantly reduced (P < 0.01) in these patients after recovery and during a 6-month follow-up period.
Subject(s)
Dermatomycoses/immunology , Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology , Neutrophils/physiology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Candidiasis, Cutaneous/blood , Candidiasis, Cutaneous/immunology , Chemotaxis, Leukocyte , Dermatomycoses/blood , Female , Humans , Hypersensitivity, Delayed , Leukocyte Count , Male , Middle Aged , Phagocytosis , Tinea Versicolor/blood , Tinea Versicolor/immunologyABSTRACT
Pityriasis versicolor is a superficial mycosis that rarely afflicts children. We present a case in a 2-month-old male baby in good health, with hyper- and hypopigmented macules located in the cervical region and on the scalp, face and chest. Moreover, we report our record of cases in infancy and the predisposing factors.
Subject(s)
Tinea Versicolor/diagnosis , Age Factors , Humans , Infant , Italy/epidemiology , Male , Tinea Versicolor/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Candida parapsilosis is an exceptional agent in hepatosplenic candidosis. Here we report two cases of hepatosplenic infection caused by Candida parapsilosis in two patients with acute leukaemia. Open liver-spleen biopsy and previously minimal exposure to systemic antifungal drugs led to a cultural diagnosis in both patients. This report confirms the importance of an early diagnosis of these diseases in order to undertake appropriate therapeutic regimens.
