HOMEPRODUCTSCOMPANYCONTACTFAQResearchDictionaryPharmaSign Up FREE or Login

The thymus dependency of acquired resistance to Trichophyton mentagrophytes dermatophytosis in rats.

Abstract
Congenitally athymic "nude" (RNU/RNU) rats and euthymic (+/RNU) rats were cutaneously inoculated with Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Dermatophytosis, as evidenced by erythema and scaling, was observed in both athymic and euthymic rats by day 7 postinfection. Macroscopic lesions in +/RNU rats became intensely erythematous (climax days 10-14), were limited in spread and alopecia (days 16-20), and healed with hair regrowth by day 35. In nude rats, however, erythema peaked early (days 8-10) and a persistent, mild erythema and scaling spread over the animals' backs. Viable T. mentagrophytes was cultured from the skin of all infected nude rats for the duration of each experiment (90 days), while +/RNU rats became culture-negative by day 35. Following clearance of primary lesions, +/RNU rats manifest a delayed-type hypersensitivity skin test response to soluble trichophytin and an accelerated cutaneous inflammation and enhanced resistance to reinfection. Although T. mentagrophytes primarily invaded the keratinized layers of the epidermis in both nude and +/RNU rats, hyphae and arthrospores were also observed within the nucleated layers of the internal root sheath of hair follicles. Our observations are consistent with the hypothesis that thymus-dependent cell-mediated immunity is required to limit cutaneous spread and terminate cutaneous T. mentagrophytes infection. This acquired immunity against T. mentagrophytes in +/RNU rats was characterized histologically by: (1) an intense inflammatory migration of lymphocytes, monocytes, and macrophages into the epidermis, dermis, and follicular epithelium; (2) hyperplasia of the epidermis and follicular epithelium; and (3) elimination of arthrospores and hyphae from T. mentagrophytes-infected skin.
AuthorsF Green 3rd, J K Weber, E Balish
JournalThe Journal of investigative dermatology (J Invest Dermatol) Vol. 81 Issue 1 Pg. 31-8 (Jul 1983) ISSN: 0022-202X [Print] United States
PMID6863978 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)
Topics
  • Animals
  • Hypersensitivity, Delayed
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Rats
  • Skin (pathology)
  • Skin Tests
  • Thymus Gland (physiology)
  • Time Factors
  • Tinea (immunology, pathology)

Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!

Take advantage of free CureHunter research engine access to explore the best drug and treatment options for any disease. Find out why thousands of doctors, pharma researchers and patient activists around the world use CureHunter every day.
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!


Choose Username:
Email:
Password:
Verify Password:
Enter Code Shown: