Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of dermatophytes - Comparison of the agar macrodilution and broth microdilution tests

Fifty dermatophyte strains, recently obtained from clinical material, belonging to 4 different species were examined for their susceptibility to 5 systemic or topical antimycotic agents using both an agar macrodilution and a broth microdilution test. Antimycotics compared were griseofulvin, itraconazole, sertaconazole, terbinafine and ciclopiroxolamine. A comparison of the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) clearly showed differences between the two test methods applied. For all 5 antimycotics, MIC data were three- to seventyfold lower in the microdilution test system. These differences, depending on the test method, have to be taken into account when comparing MIC data in the literature or when relating the in vitro data to the tissue concentrations determined in vivo

Toll-Like Receptor Expression in Human Keratinocytes: Nuclear Factor κB Controlled Gene Activation by Staphylococcus aureus is Toll-Like Receptor 2 But Not Toll-Like Receptor 4 or Platelet Activating Factor Receptor Dependent

Cultured primary human keratinocytes were screened for their expression of various members of the toll-like receptor (TLR) family. Keratinocytes were found to constitutively express TLR1, TLR2, TLR3, TLR5, and TLR9 but not TLR4, TLR6, TLR7, TLR8, or TLR10 as shown by polymerase chain reaction analysis. The expression of the crucial receptor for signaling of staphylococcal compounds TLR2 was also confirmed by immunohistochemistry, in contrast to TLR4, which showed a negative staining pattern. Next, we analyzed the activation of the proinflammatory nuclear transcription factor κB by Staphylococcus aureus strain 8325-4. Using nuclear extract gel shifts, RelA staining, and luciferase reporter transfection plasmids we found a clear induction of nuclear factor κB translocation by the bacteria. This translocation induced the transcription of nuclear factor κB controlled genes such as inducible nitric oxide synthetase, COX2, and interleukin-8. Transcription of these genes was followed by production of increased amounts of interleukin-8 protein and NO. Inhibition experiments using monoclonal antibodies and the specific platelet activating factor receptor inhibitor CV3988 showed that nuclear factor κB activation by S. aureus was TLR2 but not TLR4 or platelet activating factor receptor dependent. In line, the purified staphylococcal cell wall components lipoteichoic acid and peptidoglycan, known to signal through TLR2, also showed nuclear factor κB translocation in human keratinocytes, indicating a crucial role of the staphylococcal cell wall in the innate immune stimulation of human keratinocytes. These results help to explain the complex activation of human keratinocytes by S. aureus and its cell wall components in various inflammatory disorders of the skin

S1 Guideline onychomycosis

Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the fingernails and toenails. In Europe, tinea unguium is mainly caused by dermatophytes. The diagnostic workup comprises microscopic examination, culture and/or molecular testing (nail scrapings). Local treatment with antifungal nail polish is recommended for mild or moderate nail infections. In case of moderate to severe onychomycosis, oral treatment is recommended (in the absence of contraindications). Treatment should consist of topical and systemic agents. The aim of this update of the German S1 guideline is to simplify the selection and implementation of appropriate diagnostics and treatment. The guideline was based on current international guidelines and the results of a literature review conducted by the experts of the guideline committee. This multidisciplinary committee consisted of representatives from the German Society of Dermatology (DDG), the German‐Speaking Mycological Society (DMykG), the Association of German Dermatologists (BVDD), the German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology (DGHM), the German Society of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine (DGKJ), the Working Group for Pediatric Dermatology (APD) and the German Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases (DGPI). The Division of Evidence‐based Medicine (dEBM) provided methodological assistance. The guideline was approved by the participating medical societies following a comprehensive internal and external review

T-Cell Receptor Repertoire and Cytokine Pattern in Granuloma Annulare: Defining a Particular Type of Cutaneous Granulomatous Inflammation

Granuloma annulare is a common granulomatous infiltration of the skin of unknown etiopathogenesis. We analyzed granuloma annulare biopsies in 11 patients and could find in all patients significant numbers of CD4-T cells. These cells showed a broad usage of the different T cell receptor Vβ families and a rather unbiased repertoire when the complementary determining region 3 spectra were analyzed by the Immunoscope technique. Comparison with the peripheral blood mononuclear cell repertoire, however, identified in all patients few skin-specific expansions, which were for one patient also present in two distinct skin sites. Extensive sequence analysis of the complementary determining region 3 region confirmed the presence of a limited number of skin-specific expansions together with various nonspecific T cell infiltrations. Analysis of the intralesional cytokine expression revealed abundant production of interleukin-2, which was not dominant in granulomas from leprosy patients and was not reflected by the cytokine profile in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. These results demonstrate the capacity of the granulomatous response to recruit T cells in high numbers with only few clones expanding specifically. The high local production of interleukin-2 might thereby play an important role in the nonspecific attraction of T cells to the granulomatous site

Tinea der freien Haut

Seebacker C, Korting HC, Abeck D, et al. Tinea der freien Haut. Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft (JDDG). 2005;3(11):921-926

Candidose der Haut

Seebacher C, Abeck D, Brasch J, et al. Candidose der Haut. Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft (JDDG). 2006;4(7):591-596

S1 guidelines: Tinea capitis

Mayser P, Nenoff P, Reinel D, et al. S1-Leitlinie Tinea capitis. Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft. 2020;18(2):161-180.Tinea capitis describes a dermatophyte infection of scalp and hair that predominately occurs in children. The diagnostic workup includes microscopic examination, culture and/or molecular tests. Treatment is guided by the specific organism involved and should consist of systemic agents as well as adjuvant topical treatment. The aim of the present update of the interdisciplinary German S1 guidelines is to provide dermatologists, pediatricians and general practitioners with a decision tool for selecting and implementing appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic measures in patients with tinea capitis. The guidelines were developed based on current international guidelines, in particular the 2010 European Society for Pediatric Dermatology guidelines and the 2014 British Association of Dermatologists guidelines, as well as on a review of the literature conducted by the guideline committee. This multidisciplinary committee consists of representatives from the German Society of Dermatology (DDG), the German-Speaking Mycological Society (DMykG), the German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology (DGHM), the German Society of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine (DGKJ) and the German Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases (DGPI). The Division of Evidence-based Medicine (dEBM) provided methodological assistance. The guidelines were approved by the participating medical societies following a comprehensive internal and external review.Die Tinea capitis ist eine durch Dermatophyten hervorgerufene, vor allem im Kindesalter auftretende Mykose der behaarten Kopfhaut. Die Diagnostik erfolgt mittels mikroskopischer, kultureller und/oder molekularer Methoden. Die Therapie sollte systemisch und begleitend topisch erfolgen und ist abhängig von dem jeweiligen Erreger. Das Ziel des Updates dieser interdisziplinären deutschen S1-Leitlinie ist es, vor allem Dermatologen, Kinderärzten und Allgemeinmedizinern eine Entscheidungshilfe für die Auswahl sowie Durchführung einer geeigneten und suffizienten Diagnostik und Therapie für Patienten mit Tinea capitis zur Verfügung zu stellen. Die Leitlinie wurde unter Berücksichtigung aktueller internationaler Leitlinien, insbesondere der Leitlinien der European Society for Pediatric Dermatology 2010 sowie der British Association of Dermatologists 2014 und den Ergebnissen einer Literaturrecherche durch die Leitlinienkommission erstellt. Diese Kommission ist multidisziplinär und besteht aus Vertretern der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft (DDG), der Deutschsprachigen Mykologischen Gesellschaft (DMykG), der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Hygiene und Mikrobiologie (DGHM), der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin e.V. (DGKJ) und der deutschen Gesellschaft für Pädiatrische Infektiologie (DGPI). Methodisch wurde die Leitliniengruppe durch die Division of Evidence-based Medicine (dEBM) begleitet. Die Leitlinie wurde nach einem umfangreichen internen und externen Review durch die beteiligten Fachgesellschaften freigegeben