Trichophyton-specific IgE in patients with dermatophytosis is not associated with aeroallergen sensitivity.

BACKGROUND: It has been proposed that Trichophyton infection is associated with atopy and allergy. OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was (1) to confirm whether atopy predisposes to chronic dermatophytosis and (2) to investigate whether Trichophyton infection induces atopic disease. METHODS: Patients attending dermatology clinics and suspected of having dermatomycosis underwent in a prospective manner fungal culture and Trichophyton and inhalant skin tests, and blood serum was collected for total IgE and Trichophyton radioallergosorbent testing. Personal and family history of atopic diseases was also investigated. RESULTS: According to mycologic culture, atopic history, and inhalant skin test results, patients were classified into 4 groups: (1) atopy plus mycosis (n = 28), (2) atopy (n = 26), (3) mycosis (n = 35), and (4) no atopy, no mycosis (n = 33). Patients with active mycosis (groups 1 and 3) demonstrated significantly increased positivity of Trichophyton skin tests compared with patients without fungal infection (groups 2 and 4), regardless of their atopic status, whereas atopic patients (those in groups 1 and 2) had significantly increased levels of total serum IgE compared with nonatopic subjects. Trichophytosis was not more prevalent in atopic than in nonatopic subjects, and atopic diseases were not more frequent in culture-positive than in culture-negative patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that Trichophyton -specific IgE is observed in patients with trichophytosis regardless of atopy.

Follow-up of a human accidental infection by Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis using conventional immunologic techniques and polymerase chain reaction.

The results of a two-year follow-up study of an accidental human infection with Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis are presented. Western blots, indirect immunofluorescence, and intradermal reaction assays were not able to detect the infection before week 18 postinfection, whereas using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on blood samples, parasite DNA was detected at week 8. All test results, except the intradermal reaction followed the cure process and 12 weeks after the last chemotherapy injection (week 36 postinfection), all were negative. However, a year after cure, the PCR became positive again and has remained so for two years. To determine in which blood cell fraction the parasite was evident, enriched lymphocyte and monocyte fractions were assayed by the PCR. These results are discussed in the context of persistent infections.

Paracoccidioidomycosis of the skull. Case report.

A case of paracoccidioidomycosis of the skull is presented. No evidence of a previous lung, mucous membrane, or nervous system infection was found. Radiological and surgical findings suggested osteomyelitis. The authors stress the importance of including paracoccidioidomycosis in the differential diagnosis of osteolytic skull lesions in countries where this fungus is endemic.