TINEA VERSICOLOR - SUSCEPTIBILITY FACTORS AND EXPERIMENTAL INFECTION IN HUMAN BEINGS

[摘要] In a study of the basis for susceptibility to tinea versicolor infection, general observations on 47 patients are presented concerning age, sex, race, distribution and duration of infection; effect of climate, health and hygiene. Three susceptibility factors are noted. These include: A genetic basis for susceptibility as indicated by the occurrence of tinea versicolor in other members of the family in 8 or 17% of the patients studied. Chronic illness, malnutrition and avitaminosis. Changes brought about by abnormally high endogenous or administered plasma cortisol levels. In experimental infection studies, clinical tinea versicolor was produced in one, possibly two, cases of Cushing''s syndrome, in one patient on steroid therapy and in one individual with nutritional deficiency. Subclinical tinea versicolor was produced in 2 chronically ill patients on steroid therapy. With cessation of steroid therapy, and in bilateral adrenalectomy in one patient with Cushing''s syndrome, Malassezia furfur disappeared without therapy. Evidence pointing to a possible relationship between M. furfur and Pityrosporum orbiculare is presented.