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Clinical Microbiology Reviews, January 2005, p. 30-43, Vol. 18, No. 1
0893-8512/05/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/CMR.18.1.30-43.2005
Copyright © 2005, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Allergy and Dermatophytes

Judith A. Woodfolk*

Asthma and Allergic Diseases Center, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia

Tinea pedis (athlete's foot) and onychomycosis (infection of the toenails) caused by the dermatophyte fungus Trichophyton are highly prevalent in adults. Several Trichophyton allergens have been identified based on elicitation of immunoglobulin E antibody-mediated immediate-hypersensitivity (IH) responses. Evidence of an etiologic role for Trichophyton in asthma in some subjects with IH and chronic dermatophytosis is provided by bronchial reactivity to Trichophyton. Improvement of asthma after systemic antifungal treatment corroborates this link. A unique feature of Trichophyton allergens is the ability of the same antigen to elicit delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) in individuals who lack IH reactivity. Delayed responses appear to confer protection, while IH responses do not, based on the association with acute versus chronic skin infection. The amino acid sequence identity of Trichophyton allergens with diverse enzyme families supports a dual role for these proteins in fungal pathogenesis and allergic disease. Characterizing the immunologic properties of Trichophyton allergens and defining immune mechanisms which drive dichotomous responses are pivotal to understanding the dermatophyte-allergy relationship. Recent studies have identified DTH-associated major T-cell epitopes which could facilitate the development of peptide vaccines. Characterization of additional molecular targets by using new techniques may aid not only in the eradication of infection but also in the resolution of allergic symptoms.

* Mailing address: Asthma and Allergic Diseases Center, P.O. Box 801355, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908-1355. Phone: (434) 924-1293. Fax: (434) 924-5779. E-mail: jaw4m{at}virginia.edu.

Clinical Microbiology Reviews, January 2005, p. 30-43, Vol. 18, No. 1
0893-8512/05/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/CMR.18.1.30-43.2005
Copyright © 2005, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.



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  • Shehata, A. S., Mukherjee, P. K., Aboulatta, H. N., El Akhras, A. I., Abbadi, S. H., Ghannoum, M. A. (2008). Single-Step PCR Using (GACA)4 Primer: Utility for Rapid Identification of Dermatophyte Species and Strains. J. Clin. Microbiol. 46: 2641-2645 [Abstract] [Full Text]  


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