Human b-2 Defensin in Tinea Versicolor and Tinea Circinata

AMIRA M. EL TAWDY, M.D., AMR A. RATEB, M.D.;; RANA ABD ELAZEEM HAMMAD, M.Sc., FAISAL NOUR EL DIN, M.D.;; DINA M. SALAMA, M.D., KHALDA S. MOHAMED, M.D.;

doi:10.21608/mjcu.2021.185001

Human b-2 Defensin in Tinea Versicolor and Tinea Circinata

Authors

The Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University* and National Research Center** and Molecular Genetics Department, National Research Center***

10.21608/mjcu.2021.185001

Abstract

Abstract Background: Both superficial tinea and pityriasis versicolor are very popular fungal skin infections that affect people all over the world. Recent research suggests that certain antimi-crobial peptides can also play a role in the body's natural defense against fungal infection. Aim of Study: The purpose of the current research would be to investigate the tissue expression of b2-defensin mRNA in lesions of tinea versicolor and lesions of tinea circinata and hence studying its role in fungal infection pathogenesis. Patients and Methods: Twenty patients with tinea versi-color, twenty with tinea circinata, and twenty controls were included in this case control study. For real-time PCR (RT-PCR) gene expression of b2-defensin mRNA, a punch skin biopsy was obtained from the patient's lesional and non-lesional skin, as well as normal skin from a control. Results: b2 defensin was upregulated in lesional areas of tinea versicolor and tinea circinata in comparison to non lesional areas of tinea versicolor, tinea circinata and control. These results reached a statistical significance for mRNA b2 defensin in tinea versicolor and tinea circinata (p-value <0.014). Conclusion: The results back up the theory that antimi-crobial peptides (b2-Defensin) may help the skin fight der-matophytes and M. furfur.

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