T-lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with chronic dermatophytosis.

T lymphocytes with Fc receptors for IgM (Tm cells) or IgG (Tg cells), known under certain conditions to exert help or suppression, and T-helper and T-suppressor cells, defined by fluorescein-isothiocyanate-conjugated monoclonal antibodies, were determined in 7 patients with chronic dermatophytosis. There appeared to be a relation between severity of the disease and decreased proportion of Tm cells with concomitant increase of Tg cells. However, only in 1 severe case there was also a shift of T-helper and T-suppressor cells as defined by monoclonal antibodies.