Bacteriological and Mycological Investigations in Allergic Contact, Seborrhoeic and Atopic Dermatitis

Moore, Caroline Blackstock (1994) Bacteriological and Mycological Investigations in Allergic Contact, Seborrhoeic and Atopic Dermatitis. MSc(R) thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Pityrosporum yeasts are thought to be linked to seborrhoeic dermatitis and also connected with certain patterns of atopic dermatitis. Carriage of Staphylococcus aureus has been associated with atopic dermatitis and correlated with disease activity. The mycological and bacteriological flora of seborrhoeic, atopic and allergic contact dermatitis patients, and normal controls, was investigated using the scrub wash technique of Williamson and Kligman for bacterial flora, the scrub wash technique and a contact plate method for Pityrosporum yeasts. Immunological responses to Pityrosporum whole cells and cytoplasmic antigen were also measured using an ELISA technique for immunoglobulin classes G, M and E in each of the patient groups and controls. Pityrosporum yeasts were confined mainly to upper body sites and were isolated from all types of dermatitis and controls. For Pityrosporum isolation, the contact plate and scrub wash technique showed good agreement. Staph, aureus was isolated from all body sites in atopic dermatitis and from clinically involved areas in allergic contact dermatitis. Virtually no Staph, aureus was seen in seborrhoeic dermatitis or controls. No significant differences were found between any patient group and controls for IgG or IgM with either whole cells or antigen. With IgE, atopic dermatitis patients showed an increased response against antigen compared to controls. This IgE response was also correlated with disease severity. These findings suggest that Pityrosporum yeasts are not exclusive to seborrhoeic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis patients were the only group, however, to show sensitivity to Pityrosporum. Staph. aureus was specific to atopic and allergic contact dermatitis and, hence, does not seem to accompany any skin condition characterised by epidermal excoriation.

• Item Type: Thesis (MSc(R))
• Qualification Level: Masters
• Additional Information: Adviser: Malcolm Richardson
• Keywords: Medicine, Epidemiology, Microbiology
• Date of Award: 1994
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1994-75568
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 19 Nov 2019 19:25
• Last Modified: 19 Nov 2019 19:25
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/75568