EN
Dermatophytes have the ability to invade keratinized tissue (hair, nails and skin). The invasion elicits a host response ranging from mild to severe. Local anti-dermatophyte immunity includes activation of macrophages, sensitization of T lymphocytes and the production of antibodies. Dermatophytes are eliminated from the skin by a cell-mediated immune reaction. Although antibodies play a small part in dealing with dermatophytosis, they somehow support fagocytosis and suppress adhesion of the fungus to host cells. The development of cell-mediated immunity correlated with delayed hypersensitivity is associated with clinical cure. Dermatophytoses are considered as an important epidemiological problem. Therefore, all the latest efforts to develop an effective vaccine against ringworm are significant. However, the immunology of the dermatophyte infection still remains to be comprehensively examined.