Class-specific antibody in human dermatophytosis reactive with Trichophyton rubrum derived antigen.

Dermatophyte infections induce a humoral immune response and an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect specific antibody classes against antigen derived from Trichophyton rubrum. Sera from 19 acute patients, 18 chronic patients, and 27 normal controls were evaluated. Mean IgG titers against dermatophyte antigen were significantly higher in all patients than in controls. Mean IgM levels were significantly higher in acute patients than in controls. No significant difference was detected in IgE titers between the patients and controls. These results do not reveal whether the humoral immune response has a role in the progression of the infection.