Epidermal activity in annular dermatophytosis

In five patients with annular tinea corporis, the tritated thymidine labeling indexes were determined in the rim, center, and intermediate areas of the lesion and compared with normal skin. Labeling indexes at the rim were much higher than those of normal skin (mean, 4.2 times). Labeling indexes elsewhere in the lesion were not significantly different from those of normal skin. Histologic examination showed epidermal thickening in all areas of the lesion as compared with normal skin. This study suggests that there is an increased epidermal turnover at the rim of annular dermatophytosis that may be important in the pathophysiology and morphogenesis of such lesions.