Abstract
Manifestations of Trichophyton rubrum infestations, such as tinea pedis, tinea cruris, and tinea corporis, are among the most common human skin diseases seen throughout the world. About 80% of patients presenting with acute dermatophytosis respond well to topical antifungal treatment. However, the remaining 20% of patients progress into a chronic state of dermatophytosis, which is resistant to antifungal treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to have a better understanding and appreciation for the diverse immune responses to Trichophyton as this is critical for the development of therapeutic strategies for those individuals who suffer from a chronic manifestation of Trichophyton rubrum (T. rubrum) infection. As a result, a comprehensive literature review was conducted to review and discuss previous studies that evaluated the human body’s defense to T. rubrum infections and to understand why and how these fungal infections invade the host defense system. Our research revealed that a cell-mediated immune response is critical in defending the body against T. rubrum. However, this organism has mechanisms that enable it to evade the immune system. Therefore, a more successful treatment for chronic T. rubrum infection would involve targeting the mechanisms of T. rubrum that diminish the immune response, while restoring the cell-mediated immune response.
Highlights
Trichophyton rubrum (T. rubrum) is a dermatophyte responsible for causing the majority of superficial fungal infections worldwide [1]
This was due to T. rubrum manipulating the host defense, which allowed the conidia to down modulate receptors such as, TLRs, Human Beta Defensin (HBD)-1, and HBD-2, which serve as necessary components of the initial host defense
De Oliviera et al suggested that down modulation of TLR4 may play a role in the mechanism that results in a decreased immune response to organisms like T. rubrum [7]
Summary
Trichophyton rubrum (T. rubrum) is a dermatophyte responsible for causing the majority of superficial fungal infections worldwide [1]. It can be argued that patients who present with a chronic T. rubrum infection, possibly contain a defective cellular immune response These observations suggest that activation of T lymphocytes is critical in recovering from a dermatophyte infection. Some species of fungi, including certain strains of Candida and Cryptococcus, are able to evade the MR despite containing mannan within their cell walls They are able to induce an infection with little resistance from an immune response [2]. Surface glycoconjugates are pivotal in mounting an immune response These carbohydrate binding adhesins on the surface of the fungi interact with epithelial cells and macrophages, and may be key to the organism’s ability to invade its host. T. rubrum is critical to developing new drugs and treatment regimens for patients affected by dermatophytosis
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