Cell-Mediated Immunity and Serum Blocking Factors in Patients with Chronic Dermatophytic Infections

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Abstract
Patients suffering from both chronic and acute infections with dermatophytic fungi displayed specific cell-mediated immunity towards antigens of their infecting organisms, as determined by the in vitro leucocyte adherence inhibition test. Serum from the chronically infected patients (but not from acutely infected) specifically blocked the activity of their own leucocytes or the leucocytes of other patients (chronic or acute) with the same species of infecting organism. Reactivity to tuberculin (PPD) was also detected but was not blocked by patients’ sera. The reactions detected in vitro are analogous to those observed in other situations (in certain chronic infections and during growth of tumors) and may explain the state of apparent non-reactivity and chronicity in vivo.

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