Superficial fungal infection and allergic dermatitis

Abstract

Abstract: Objective To investigate superficial fungal infection in the etiology of allergic dermatitis by comparing the sensitivities of fungal allergens and unfungal allergens among allergic dermatitis patients with or without tinea,and the identification of pathogens.Methods Totally 353 patients with chronic urticaria,eczema or atopic dermatitis were divided into two groups classified by direct microscopic examination: the group with superficial fungal infection(n=173) and the contral group without superficial fungal infection(n=180).Skin prick tests were performed in all subjects,but fungal culture were administered only in the patients with superficial fungal infection.Results Positive rates to Trichophyton,Specific Penicillium,Curvularia lunata and Aspergillus fumigatus in experiment group were higher than those in control group(P<0.05).Positive rate to Trichophyton in experiment group was higher than that in control group(P<0.001).There were no statistically significant differences among other fungal allergens and unfungal allergens(P>0.05).T.rubrum(52.86%),T.mentagrophytes(14.18%),Epidermophyton floccosum(5.22%) and Candida(6.72%) were cultured in 134 cases of skin allergic diseases with superficial fungal infection.The positive rates were not statistically significant between Trichophyton and dermatophytes(P>0.05).Conclusions Patients with chronic urticaria or eczema who present immediate hypersensitivity to Trichophyton always have dermatophyte infection.Superficial fungal infections seem to be an important factort in the subjects with chronic urticaria or eczema.

Key words: fungus, infection, allergic diseases, skin

CLC Number:

R756

LIU Fang, SANG Hong, HU Wen-xing, KONG Qing-tao, WANG Xue-lian, WANG Gao-feng, ZHANG Min, DENG De-quan, XIE Qi-mei. Superficial fungal infection and allergic dermatitis[J]. Chinese Journal of Mycology, 2011, 6(6): 344-349.

References

[1] Wise F,Sulzberger MB.Urticaria and hay fever due to Trichophyton[J]. JAMA,1930,95:1504-1508.
[2] 中华医学会皮肤性病学分会.荨麻疹诊疗指南[J]. 中华皮肤病学杂志,2007,40(10):591-593.
[3] 赵辨.中国临床皮肤病学[M] 第4版.南京:江苏科学技术出版社,2010:725-726.
[4] Williams HC,Burney PGJ,Pembroke A C.Validation of the U.K.diagnostic criteria for atopic dermatitis in apopulation setting[J]. Br J Dermatol,1996,135(1):12-17.
[5] Sevin CM,Peebles RS Jr.Infections and asthma:new insights into old ideas[J]. Clin Exp Allergy,2010,40(8):1142-1154.
[6] Wilson BB,Deuell B,Platts-Mills TA.Atopic dermatitis associated with dermatophyte infection and Trichophyton hypersensitivity[J]. Cutis,1993,51 (3):191-192.
[7] Hüdimann A,F(a)h J.Asthma,rhinitis and dermatitis triggered by fungal infection:therapeutic effects of terbinafine[J]. Dermatology,2001,202(4):330-332.
[8] Woodfolk JA.Allergy and dermatophytes[J]. Clin Microbiol Rev,2005,18(1):30-43.
[9] Ward GW Jr,Karlsson G,Roee G.Trichophyton asthma:sensitization of bronchi and upper airways to dermatophyte antigen[J]. Lancet,1989,1 (8643):859-862.
[10] Ward GW Jr,Woodfolk JA,Hayden ML.Treatment of late-onset asthma with fluconazole[J]. J Allergy Clin Immunol,1999,104(3 Pt 1):541-546.
[11] 熊春萍.皮肤癣菌患者血清IgE水平及过敏质关系探讨[J]. 广州学院学报,2001,29(1):54-56.
[12] Mungan D,Bavbek S,Peksari V.Trichophyton sensitivity in allergic and nonallergic asthma[J]. Allergy,2001,56(6):558-562.
[13] Platts-Mills TA,Woodfolk JA.Trichophyton asthma[J]. Chest,2009,135(4):887-888.
[14] Matsuoka H,Niimi A,Matsumoto H.Specific IgE response to trichophyton and asthma severity[J]. Chest,2009,135 (4):898-903.
[15] Duek L,Kaufman G,Ulman Y.The pathogenesis of dermatophyte infections in human skin sections[J]. J Infect,2004,48(2):175-180.
[16] Alonso A,Pionetti CH,Mouchián K.Hypersensitivity to Trichophyton rutbrum antigens in atopic and non-atopic podiatrists[J]. Allergol Immunopathol,2003,31 (2):70-76.