An immunosuppressive serum factor in widespread cutaneous dermatophytosis.

A patient had a widespread dermatophytosis and a serum factor that specifically suppressed his T-cell rosette formation and the phytohemagglutinin responsiveness of his lymphocytes. The patient was also unable to mount a delayed hypersensitivity reaction to a standard anergy panel, although he did exhibit an immediate type hypersensitivity reaction to the trichophytin skin test antigen. Although many immunosuppressed patients succumb to severe bacterial and fungal infections, it is our contention that in certain cases the infectious process itself may generate a serum factor that is capable of inducing immunosuppression, thereby rendering the patient susceptible to further spread of the infection.