Histopathologic Evaluation of Griseofulvin in Microsporum Audouini Infections

Abstract

Superficial dermatophytic infection of the scalp was first described as a clinical entity by Willan in 1808. 21 The histopathologic alteration of the hair follicle produced by the dermatophytes has been a neglected field of investigation except for the pioneer studies of Gruby 7 and Sabouraud. 20 The recent upsurge in investigation aimed at exploring some of the mysteries of dermatophytic infection of the skin and dermal appendages has shaken many of the time-honored but false concepts concerning these infections. Important contributions to our knowledge have been the demonstration of fungistatic activity of long-chain, odd-numbered fatty acids which are increased in post-pubertal sebaceous glands 19 ; the presence in the serum globulin fraction of potent antidermatophytic activity which limits dermatophytic growth to those layers of the skin outside the epidermal water barrier zone 1,2,11,16,18 ; the natural history of infection in the human volunteer 8,9 ; the graphic demonstration of the fallacy of