Immunogenicity of Trichophyton mentagrophytes isolated from arctic foxes with ringworm.

Immunogenicity of six strains of Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. granulosum isolated from arctic foxes with ringworm was evaluated in guinea pigs and foxes. Two strains of T. mentagrophytes (Tm-3 and Tm-4) out of six examined (Tm-1, Tm-2, Tm-3, Tm-4, Tm-5 and Tm-6) induced in the experimental foxes a strong cellular immune response measured by the leukocyte migration inhibition test (LMIT), lymphocyte transformation test (LTT), and by skin delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH). The guinea pigs immunised with Tm-3 and Tm-4 were well protected against the artificial infection with the virulent strain of T. mentagrophytes (Tm-9). These two strains of T. mentagrophytes with high immunogenic properties were used for production of a vaccine against ringworm in foxes.