Use of immunofluorescence staining in kerion.
We describe two cases of kerion caused by Trichophyton rebrum and Microsporum gypseum. In the histological sections, a PAS stain revealed a small number of hypha-like rods and spore-like round bodies in the dermis of patient 1. Except for some clusters of PAS-positive materials, no definite fungal elements were observed in the dermis of patient 1, whereas a considerable number of hyphae were demonstrated within a hair shaft. Immunofluorescence staining, using fluorescein-labeled T mentagrophytes antiserum, disclosed the presence of fungal antigens, not only within a hair shaft, but also in the inflammatory infiltrate in the dermis of both patients.
D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008864:Microsporum / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012535:Scalp / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D014006:Tinea Capitis / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D014249:Trichophyton / Q000302:isolation & purification