Contact sensitizing properties of some fatty acids in dermatophytes.

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.