Contact sensitizing properties of some fatty acids in dermatophytes

Abstract
The predominant fatty acids (C10–C18) of dermatophytes were investigated by the Landsteiner-Draize test to establish their allergenicity. It was demonstrated that fatty acids can give rise to sensitization of delayed type in guinea pigs. The middle-chain fatty acids (C10–C12) showed a high allergenicity compared to the (C13–C18) acids with moderate to weak contact sensitizing properties. The fatty acids may act as contact sensitizers and, at least sometimes, be responsible for the skin lesions in dermatophytosis.
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