[Allergy in Trichophyton infection in the cattle]

The examinations have been performed with glycoproteidic fractions of Trichophyton verrucosum (Tv-GP) and T. mentagrophytes (Tm-GP) purified by a method of gel chromatography. Trichophytins were intradermally injected at a dose of 2.0 ml (1.0 mg of protein) and the results were estimated after 24 and 72 h on the basis of differences in skin fold thickness (RGFS). In animals infected with lice or scabies in a farm free of trichophytosis the median value of RGFS was below 1.0 mm and maximal value was 2.0 mm. In a farm where trichophytosis caused by T. verrucosum was diagnosed positive reactions (RGFS above 4.0 mm) against the two trichophytins appeared in 90% of sick animals, 95% of convalescents and in 20% of animals without skin lesions but kept together with sick animals. In a part of diseased animals and exposed to infection apart from local reactions also appeared so called focal reactions characterized by appearance of fungal lesions followed by opening and crushing the crusts. There is a lack of relationship between intensity of allergic skin reaction and rate of fungal lesions. The animals infected with T. verrucosum cross-reacted with trichophytins Tv-GP and Tm-GP, allergic state persisted in convalescent animals after idiopatic disappearance of clinical symptoms. The performed studies point to a possibility of the use of allergic skin tests with a standardized trichophytins to evaluate immunological state in cattle with trichophytosis.