红色毛癣菌引起的深在囊状癣

A 57-year-old Japanese woman developed multiple subcutaneous cysts located on the pubic region, thighs, back, and buttocks. She had been treated with systemic prednisolone and azathioprine for 3 years because of autoimmune hepatitis. Histologic examination revealed that the lesions were pseudocysts with numerous spores and hyphae. Trichophyton rubrum was identified in culture from the content of several examined cysts. The serum beta-D-glucan level was high (313 pg/mL), and a computed tomographic scan of the chest cavity showed infective embolism in the lung. To our best knowledge, this is the first reported case of multiple-cystic tinea profunda,presumably with systemic dermatophyte infection. Systemic T-cell immunosuppression, as represented by a relatively low percentage of memory T cells and negative delayed-type hypersensitivity tests, is considered to cause this rare manifestation of dermatophytosis.

Monoclonal anti-idiotype antibody bearing the internal image of nasopharyngeal carcinoma associated antigen

Objective To generate and characterize anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody (Ab2) that bears the internal image of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) associated antigen. Methods Using NPC monoclonal antibody (Ab1) as immunogen, hybridoma cells were obtained by fusion of SP2/0 myeloma cells with immunized murine spleen cells. Positive clones were screened by Sandwich ELISA and a binding inhibition test. To determine whether Ab2 possess the internal image of the original antigen or not, mice were immunized with Ab2. ELISA and the competitive inhibition assay tested anti-anti-idiotypic antibodies (Ab3) in anti-sera. Cell-mediated immunity to tumors induced by Ab2 was investigated by a delayed-type hypersensitivity response and the mouse T-cell proliferation assay. Results Anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibodies against the monoclonal anti-NPC antibodies FC2 and HNL5 were generated that recognize NPC associated antigens. These Ab2, which were designated 2H4 and 5D3, could inhibit the binding of FC2 or HNL5 to NPC cell lines. Anti-sera from the immunized mice, which contained Ab3, could compete with FC2 or HNL5 for binding with NPC cell by a competitive inhibition assay. Mice immunized with 2H4 or 5D3 coupled with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), showed a positive and specific delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction after stimulation by NPC cells. The mouse T cell proliferative assay indicated that there was a significantly higher proliferative response of the splenocytes in the experimental groups than that in control groups. Conclusions Anti-idiotypic antibodies 2H4 and 5D3 are Ab2 beta bearing the internal image of the epitope of NPC associated antigen. Either 2H4 or 5D3 expressing three-dimensional shapes that resemble the structure of natural antigens could induce humoral and cellular immune response.

Reduced capacity of dendritic cells from trauma-hemorrhage mice in initiating delayed-type hypersensitivity to fluorescein isothiocyanate

Objective： To study the role of dendritic cells （DCs） in initiating delayed-type hypersensitivity （DTH） to fluores- cein isothiocyanate （FITC） after trauma-hemorrhage in mice. Methods： Inbred BALB/c mice （6-8 weeks old, male） were epicutaneously sensitized with FITC 12 hours, 1 day, 2 days, 4 days and 7 days after closed bilateral femur fractures combined with hemorrhage. And 5 days after sensitization, DTH was evaluated by ear swelling after a challenge of FITC. Draining lymph node cells were examined for the percentages of FITC-positive cells, cluster of differentiation （CD）11c positive cells and major histocom- patibility complex II （MHC II）-positive cells by means of flow cytometry. In vitro proliferative responses of syngeneic lymphocytes and in vivo passive transfer of DTH to naive recipients induced by isolated DCs from the draining lymph nodes were determined. Results： The time of DTH to FITC decreased more significantly in the mice with trauma-hemorrhage （12 hours to 4 days） than in the mice with sham injury. After sensitization, the relative percentages of FITC^＋ cells, FITC^＋/ CD 11c^＋ cells and FITC^＋/CD 11c^＋/MHC II^＋ cells from the draining lymph nodes were all significantly reduced following injury. And the capacity of DCs from the draining lymph nodes in stimulating proliferative responses of lymphocytes and transferring DTH to naive recipients were also inhibited after injury. Conclusions： Trauma-hemorrhage induces repressive DTH in mice, which may be attributed, at least partially, to the reduced trafficking of DCs into the draining lymph nodes and insufficient maturation during DC migration.