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Immunology of Dermatophytosis

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Abstract

The immune response to infection by dermatophytes ranges from a non-specific host mechanism to a humoral and cell-mediated immune response. The currently accepted view is that a cell-mediated immune response is responsible for the control of dermatophytosis. Indeed, some individuals develop a chronic or recurrent infection mediated by the suppression of a cell-mediated immune response. The immune response to Trichophyton is unusual in that this fungus can elicit both immediate hypersensitivity (IH) and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) in different individuals when they are submitted to a skin test reaction. Understanding the nature and function of the immune response to dermatophytes is an exciting challenge that might lead to novel approaches in the treatment and immunological prophylaxis of dermatophytosis.

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  1. Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo University, Avenida Prof. Lineu Prestes, 580, Bloco 17, São Paulo, CEP 05508-900, Brazil

    Sandro Rogerio Almeida

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Correspondence to Sandro Rogerio Almeida.

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Almeida, S.R. Immunology of Dermatophytosis. Mycopathologia 166, 277–283 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11046-008-9103-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11046-008-9103-6

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