L.N. Mohapatra

Proteolytic activity of dermatophytes and its role in the pathogenesis of skin lesions

Proteolytic activity of 101 isolates of dermatophytes, Trichophyton rubrum, 92; T. mentagrophytes, 5; T. violaceum, 2 and Epidermophyton floccosum, 2; from 158 patients was determined using egg albumin as the substrate. The values were 0·76 – 10·63 mg tyrosine/100 mg fungal mat for T. rubrum; 11·25 – 15·66 mg for T. mentagrophytes; 10·28 – 18·25 mg for T. violaceum and 0·60 – 6·19 mg for E. floccosum. The inflammatory reaction was related to the proteolytic activity of T. mentagrophytes but not of T. rubrum.Intradermal injections of 11 fungal extracts into excised human skin produced spongiosis in all and dermo-epidermal splits in 7. Twenty-five fungal extracts injected intradermally in dogs resulted in erythema and induration at the sites of injection within 6 h which increased in intensity till 72 h. These sites revealed spongiosis, dermo-epidermal splits and inflammation. Application of fungal extracts on the stripped forearm skin of 15 human volunteers produced erythema in all and papulovesicles in 3....

Phagocytosis of Candida albicans by rabbit neutrophils

Phagocytosis and killing of ingested Candida albicans by rabbit polymorphonuclear neutrophils were studied in vitro using cells and sera from normal and immunized animals. Optimal phagocytosis was observed when neutrophils and sera obtained from immunized animals were used. The phagocytic index reached its peak at the end of 1 h. The fate of ingested Candida was studied by supravital staining. The highest killing activity was shown by the combination of neutrophils and serum from immunized animals at the end of 1 h. There was no enhancement of this activity on further incubation. Neutrophils derived from non-immunized animals in the presence of normal serum were least effective in candidacidal activity. The candidacidal activity and the inhibitory effect on the germtube formation by the ingested Candida were most marked in the neutrophils obtained from immunized animals.

Tinea capitis in north India

A survey of 1620 school children (690 from Delhi, 810 from Ballabgarh and 120 from Kashmir) was undertaken to assess the prevalence of tinea capitis. Nine cases with mycologically positive clinical lesions were detected. Sixteen subjects had no clinical lesions, but presence of fungus could be demonstrated.Nineteen mycologically proved cases of tinea capitis were studied. Trichophyton violaceum was found to be the predominant species followed by T. mentagrophytes.

Studies on aerobic actinomycetes isolated from soil. I. Isolation and identification of strains.

A total of 134 samples of soil were tested for the presence of aerobic actinomycetes by paraffin baiting technique. The various pathogenic aerobic actinomycetes capable of utilizing paraffin as a sole source of carbon were found to be widely prevalent in the soil of Delhi and adjoining areas. The 157 strains that were isolated could be classified into Nocardia asteroides (52), N. brasiliensis (8), N. caviae (4), Nocardia spp. (40) and Streptomyces spp. (53). The basis of identification and their pathogenicity in mice are discussed.

Studies on otitis externa in dogs. I. Survey of aetiological agents: Fungi

The bacterial and fungal flora of 200 normal and 50 infected ears of dogs were studied with the object of isolating and identifying the causative agents. Large numbers of fungi and yeasts were isolated from normal as well as infected ears. It was concluded that Pityrosporum canis may act as a primary pathogen in otitis externa in dogs and can invade the normal healthy skin of the ear canal, whereas Aspergillus niger has no capacity to establish in the normal ear canal. However, it can colonise the ears infected with bacteria and/or fungi.

Effect of hair oils and fatty acids on the growth of dermatophytes and their in vitro penetration of human scalp hair.

Various concentrations of commonly used hair oils, unsaturated and saturated fatty acids were incorporated in Sabourauds dextrose agar medium and their effect on growth of dermatophytes was studied. Mustard oil and unsaturated fatty acids were seen to completely suppress the growth in concentrations of 1% and above. The same oil and all unsaturated fatty acids were also seen to prevent penetration of hair by various dermatophytes using either Lus or Ajellos technique.

The Effects of Some Hair Oils and Unsaturated Fatty Acids on Experimentally Induced Dermatophytosis

Antimycotic effect of mustard and coconut oils, oleic and palmitic acids on experimentally produced dermatophytic infection on hairy skin in the guinea pigs was studied. Mean Duration of Infection (MDI) was significantly reduced in all experiments where coconut and mustard oils or unsaturated fatty acid (oleic acid) were used. The significance of these results in realtion to Tinea capitis in humans is discussed.

A Study of the Immunological Status of Patients with Dermatophytoses

22 patients with Trichophyton rubrum infection were studied for some of their immunological parameters. The trichophytin skin test performed with commercially available Dermatophytin (Hollister-Stier) gave immediate positive reaction in 3 patients. All the other patients gave negative delayed and retarded reactions. In vitro response to PHA of the peripheral lymphocytes was significantly depressed in patients compared to the controls. No relationship could, however, be established between the severity, duration or extent of the disease and the depression of the lymphocyte response. IgG and IfA were found to be within normal limits. IgM levels were significantly depressed which was probably artefactual in nature.

Tinea pedis--a penalty of civilization. A sample survey of rural and urban population.

Untersuchungen von Land‐ und Stadtbewohnern in Indien zeigten, daß Tinae pedis auf dem Lande praktisch nicht vorkommt, jedoch bei‐3 % der Stadtbewohner. Die Schuhe spielen dabei eine große Rolle. Die Pilze können anscheinend zwischen den Zehen verschieden lang verweilen, ohne dort klinische Erscheinungen zu verursachen.

Clotrimazole in treatment of dermatomycoses and vaginitis.

62 patients with dermatomycoses and 39 patients suffering from vaginitis were treated with topical application (1 %) of clotrimazole (Canesten) cream and vaginal tablets (100 mg) respectively. A majority of the patients (44) of dermatophytoses were completely cured in 3 to 6 weeks and all cases (11) of cutaneous candidiasis in 1 to 2 weeks. 14 cases of Candida vaginitis were cured in 2 weeks and 24 patients with nonspecific vaginitis responded well to the treatment showing definite clinical improvement. No untoward reactions were noticed in these patients.