Comparative evaluation of host immune response and cytokine signature pertaining to Th1 and Th2 immune arms in serum and tissue among patients of acute localised vs. chronic disseminated dermatophytosis

Background India is witnessing an epidemic of dermatophytosis. The role of host immune response against fungi in chronicity and dissemination is topic of ongoing research. We conducted cross‐sectional comparative study to determine the difference in Th1 (IFN‐γ) and Th2 (IL4) response in serum and tissue between acute and localised vs. chronic and disseminated cases. Methods Patients (18–60 years) were divided in two groups—group A (n = 114, BSA one anatomic site, duration >12 months, n = 118). Clinical parameters along with serum levels of IgE, IL‐4 and IFN‐γ and expression of IL4 and IFN‐γ in dermal infiltrate were compared between group. Results Trichophyton mentagrophytes complex was commonest causative fungi. Serum levels of IgE were significantly higher (median A‐539.2, B‐2901.0, p