ULTRASTRUCTURAL-STUDY OF HOST-PARASITE RELATIONSHIPS IN EPIDERMIS DURING TRICHOPHYTON MENTAGROPHYTES INFECTION

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. B127  (4) , 473-501
Abstract
The location of fungal cells within the tissue, subsequent tissue alterations and behavior of immunocompetent cells in guinea pigs were studied. During initiation of infection, the fungal cells were intracellular in the lower parts of the stratum corneum. Digestion of intracellular keratin is obvious, but the resistant cell wall of the squames remains unaltered. During reinfection fungal cells were located intercellularly in the upper parts of the stratum corneum. The study of ultrastructural changes in the underlying viable parts of the epidermis reveals many alterations of keratinocytes such as mitochondrial damage, loss of tonofilaments, vacuolization and rupture of cytoplasmic bonds. The epidermal cells are disjoined by an edematous reaction and these manifestations may involve large epidermic areas. Cells, arising from the dermis, move into the intercellular spaces that originate from epidermal cellular dissociation. These cells are interpreted as corresponding to lymphocytes, monocytes and macrophages. This cellular infiltration is intense. Most of the lymphocytes and macrophages are activated (even giant cells are observed). In addition, some of these cells may reach the stratum corneum, the area of parasitic location. The relationships between these manifestations and those related to cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity reactions are discussed. It seems possible to demonstrate the immunopathologic status of the reaction where some specific immunological manifestations appear to be related to the fungal growth acting by antigenic stimulation.