The evaluation of various methods and antigens for the detection of antibodies against Pityrosporum ovale in patients with seborrhoeic dermatitis.

Sera from 10 patients with seborrhoeic dermatitis and from 10 age-matched healthy individuals were examined for IgG activity against Pityrosporum ovale. The IgG activity was analysed using the following techniques: an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) against whole P. ovale cells, purified cell-wall carbohydrate or protein extract, an indirect slide-immunofluorescence assay and fluorescence-activated flow cytometry using the whole organism as antigen. The ELISA method using the protein antigen was the only technique that showed a significant difference between patients and controls; a lower antibody response was found in the seborrhoeic dermatitis patients compared to healthy controls.