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Recent Patents on Inflammation &... 2020Tinea capitis is a common and, at times, difficult to treat, fungal infection of the scalp. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Tinea capitis is a common and, at times, difficult to treat, fungal infection of the scalp.
OBJECTIVE
This article aimed to provide an update on the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of tinea capitis.
METHODS
A PubMed search was performed in Clinical Queries using the key term "tinea capitis". The search strategy included meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, clinical trials, observational studies, and reviews. The search was restricted to English literature. The information retrieved from the above search was used in the compilation of the present article. Patents were searched using the key term "tinea capitis" at www.freepatentsonline.com.
RESULTS
Tinea capitis is most often caused by Trichophyton tonsurans and Microsporum canis. The peak incidence is between 3 and 7 years of age. Non-inflammatory tinea capitis typically presents as fine scaling with single or multiple scaly patches of circular alopecia (grey patches); diffuse or patchy, fine, white, adherent scaling of the scalp resembling generalized dandruff with subtle hair loss; or single or multiple patches of well-demarcated area (s) of alopecia with fine-scale, studded with broken-off hairs at the scalp surface, resulting in the appearance of "black dots". Inflammatory variants of tinea capitis include kerion and favus. Dermoscopy is a highly sensitive tool for the diagnosis of tinea capitis. The diagnosis can be confirmed by direct microscopic examination with a potassium hydroxide wetmount preparation and fungal culture. It is desirable to have mycologic confirmation of tinea capitis before beginning a treatment regimen. Oral antifungal therapy (terbinafine, griseofulvin, itraconazole, and fluconazole) is considered the gold standard for tinea capitis. Recent patents related to the management of tinea capitis are also discussed.
CONCLUSION
Tinea capitis requires systemic antifungal treatment. Although topical antifungal therapies have minimal adverse events, topical antifungal agents alone are not recommended for the treatment of tinea capitis because these agents do not penetrate the root of the hair follicles deep within the dermis. Topical antifungal therapy, however, can be used to reduce transmission of spores and can be used as adjuvant therapy to systemic antifungals. Combined therapy with topical and oral antifungals may increase the cure rate.
Topics: Administration, Oral; Administration, Topical; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Child; Child, Preschool; Dermoscopy; Humans; Patents as Topic; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Tinea Capitis
PubMed: 31906842
DOI: 10.2174/1872213X14666200106145624 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2022Dermatophytes are highly infectious fungi that cause superficial infections in keratinized tissues in humans and animals. This group of fungi is defined by their ability... (Review)
Review
Dermatophytes are highly infectious fungi that cause superficial infections in keratinized tissues in humans and animals. This group of fungi is defined by their ability to digest keratin and encompasses a wide range of species. Classification of many of these species has recently changed due to genetic analysis, potentially affecting clinical diagnosis and disease management. In this review, we discuss dermatophyte classification including name changes for medically important species, current and potential diagnostic techniques for detecting dermatophytes, and an in-depth review of , a prevalent zoonotic dermatophyte. Fungal culture is still considered the "gold standard" for diagnosing dermatophytosis; however, modern molecular assays have overcome the main disadvantages of culture, allowing for tandem use with cultures. Further investigation into novel molecular assays for dermatophytosis is critical, especially for high-density populations where rapid diagnosis is essential for outbreak prevention. A frequently encountered dermatophyte in clinical settings is , which causes dermatophytosis in humans and cats. is adapting to its primary host (cats) as one of its mating types (MAT1-2) appears to be going extinct, leading to a loss of sexual reproduction. Investigating strains around the world can help elucidate the evolutionary trajectory of this fungi.
PubMed: 36145389
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11090957 -
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational... 2020Dermatophytes are a group of keratinophilic fungi, which normally cause superficial infection of skin, hair and nails. Based on ecology, they are classified into three... (Review)
Review
Dermatophytes are a group of keratinophilic fungi, which normally cause superficial infection of skin, hair and nails. Based on ecology, they are classified into three groups: anthropophilic, zoophilic and geophilic. Superficial dermatophytic infection of the genital region is called genital dermatophytosis, tinea genitalis or pubo-genital dermatophytosis. In this review, we would like to discuss briefly, the various clinical presentations of genital dermatophytosis, current changes in the taxonomy and nomenclature, introduction of new diagnostic techniques and briefly describe some common dermatophytes and their sources. Also, there are serious concerns associated with the recent development of antifungal resistance among the dermatophytes. We are also facing the scenario of hard-to-treat dermatophytosis.
PubMed: 33061514
DOI: 10.2147/CCID.S262704 -
Current Medical Mycology Jun 2023Tinea incognita (TI), or the other equivalent tinea atypica, is a term used to declare the atypical presentation of dermatophyte infections caused by the administration... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Tinea incognita (TI), or the other equivalent tinea atypica, is a term used to declare the atypical presentation of dermatophyte infections caused by the administration of steroids or other immunosuppressive medications which modulate the local and systemic immune response. It can mimic other dermatoses; hence making diagnostic challenges for dermatologists. Tina incognita may be misdiagnosed as many dermatoses. Based on previous studies, corticosteroids may cause different clinical manifestations of dermatophytes that might be very different from those that are commonly described.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This narrative review was conducted using PubMed and Scopus databases. Search terms included "Tinea incognita" and "Atypical dermatophytosis". The search strategy included meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, clinical trials, observational studies, reviews, and case reports. The search was restricted to articles written in the English language from 2006 to Feb 01, 2023. Moreover, duplicate articles and non-available full-text articles were excluded. The extracted data of the search results were retrieved in this study. The morphological patterns, prevalence, sight of infection, and causative agents were also described.
RESULTS
Prevalence of different patterns of TI were recorded as 50% (431 out of 862 cases) for eczema-like lesions followed by psoriasis-like and 6.61% (57 out of 862) for parapsoriasis-like pattern. Moreover, each of the rosacea-like and pyoderma-like lesions equally accounted for 4.98 % of cases (43 out of 862). In addition, the prevalence of causative agents was reported as follows: accounted for 247 isolates (40%) as the most prevalent, followed by (n=152, 24%) and (n=119, 19%).
CONCLUSION
Tinea incognita is a great mimicker; hence, dermatologists should obtain a full medical history of the patients to make correct diagnoses. It is vital to encourage an exact identification of the etiological agent according to the internal transcribed spacer sequencing in some uncertain cases. This review highlights the importance of mycological tests and fast diagnosis of TI, especially in cases of atypical skin lesions, to choose appropriate treatment and avoid the spread of drug-resistant species.
PubMed: 38375520
DOI: 10.22034/cmm.2023.345069.1425 -
Veterinary Medicine and Science Jan 2023Dermatophytosis is a zoonotic disease caused by a group of keratinophilic fungi called dermatophytes.
INTRODUCTION
Dermatophytosis is a zoonotic disease caused by a group of keratinophilic fungi called dermatophytes.
OBJECTIVES
Since the epidemiology of diseases revolves over time, this research studies the incidence of dermatophytosis among rodents referred to mycology laboratory during 2019-2021.
METHODS
A total of 163 rodents including rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters suspecting having dermatophytosis were sampled by scraping lesions. Direct microscopic examination, culture, and polymerase chain reaction were done for diagnosis of dermatophytosis and identification of the etiologic agent.
RESULTS
The results of this study showed that 37.4% of rodents were involved with dermatophytosis, among which 41.13% of rabbits, 25% of guinea pigs, and 26.3% of hamsters were included. Microsporum canis (52.7%) was the most isolated agent. Incidence of dermatophytosis was higher in female in rabbits while in hamsters and guinea pigs male were mostly infected. Rodents less than 6 months were more susceptible for dermatophytosis except for hamsters in which 6-12 months animals had a higher prevalence.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, it is significant to update our knowledge about the epidemiology of dermatophytosis in rodents and other animals every few years to define valid preventive strategies. Moreover, since dermatophytes are contagious and zoonotic, it is also a priority to apply preventing methods for dermatophytosis and treat infected rodents with appropriate antifungal agents to decrease the risk of infection.
Topics: Cricetinae; Male; Animals; Female; Guinea Pigs; Rabbits; Rodentia; Zoonoses; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Prevalence; Tinea
PubMed: 36495207
DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1044 -
Mycopathologia Feb 2017Dermatophytes evolve along with the geography and socioeconomic conditions. Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum audouinii and Trichophyton schoenleinii acted as the... (Review)
Review
Dermatophytes evolve along with the geography and socioeconomic conditions. Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum audouinii and Trichophyton schoenleinii acted as the major pathogens of superficial fungal diseases 100 years ago, but their frequency decreased dramatically since the middle of the twentieth century and they are limited to some less-developed countries nowadays; meanwhile, frequency of Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton interdigitale, Trichophyton tonsurans and Microsporum canis increased gradually, and these fungi have become the major species globally. Some other dermatophytes, i.e., Trichophyton violaceum, Trichophyton verrucosum and Microsporum ferrugineum, are mainly endemic in some parts of Africa, Asia and Europe. At present, T. rubrum is the leading pathogen for skin and nail fungal infections, whereas M. canis, T. tonsurans and T. violaceum present as the predominant dermatophytes involved in tinea capitis. Population mobility, changes in human lifestyle and advents of antifungal drugs will continually drive the dermatophyte evolution in the skin microenvironment. Comprehensive observation is needed to better understand this kind of organisms and prospect the trends of their changes in future.
Topics: Dermatomycoses; Epidermophyton; Humans; Microsporum; Prevalence; Trichophyton
PubMed: 27783316
DOI: 10.1007/s11046-016-0082-8 -
Microbiology and Immunology Feb 2019Silkworm, Bombyx mori, has various advantages as an experimental animal, such as the low cost for rearing and fewer ethical problems. Models utilizing silkworms of... (Review)
Review
Silkworm, Bombyx mori, has various advantages as an experimental animal, such as the low cost for rearing and fewer ethical problems. Models utilizing silkworms of infection with pathogenic bacteria have been established for identification of genes encoding virulence factors by large-scale in vivo screening. In this review, we describe recent progress in the study of silkworm infection models for elucidating the mechanisms of fungi infection. Silkworm infection models have been established for Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata and Cryptococcus neoformans, which are yeast type fungi, and Aspergillus fumigatus, Arthroderma vanbreuseghemii, Arthroderma benhamiae, Microsporum canis, Trichophyton rubrum, and Rhizopus oryzae, which are filamentous fungi. Novel genes encoding virulence factors in C. albicans and C. glabrata have been identified by using the silkworm infection models. We here outline the benefits of using silkworm infection models and a strategy for identifying the genes responsible for pathogenicity of microorganisms such as fungi. © 2019 The Authors. Microbiology and Immunology Published by The Societies and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.
Topics: Animals; Bacteria; Bombyx; Candida; Candidiasis; Cryptococcosis; Cryptococcus neoformans; Disease Models, Animal; Fungi; Mycoses; Virulence; Virulence Factors
PubMed: 30666711
DOI: 10.1111/1348-0421.12668 -
Journal of the European Academy of... Oct 2016The identification of species in the Arthroderma otae complex is essential to determine the origin of infection and to eliminate the risk of transmission. Microsporum...
OBJECTIVES
The identification of species in the Arthroderma otae complex is essential to determine the origin of infection and to eliminate the risk of transmission. Microsporum canis is a zoophilic species, whereas Microsporum audouinii and Microsporum ferrugineum are anthropophilic species. In this paper, we propose alternative methods that permit species-specific identification of both anthropophilic and zoophilic members of the A. otae complex METHODS: Two PCR assays were designed based on differences in the DNA fragment encoding β-tubulin and were applied in both traditional and real-time PCR using DNA isolated by rapid method from culture.
RESULT
The two assays presented in this study enable the identification of M. canis and M. audouinii/M. ferrugineum with 100% sensitivity and specificity by both traditional and real-time PCR.
CONCLUSION
We developed a new diagnostic assay using specific primers and both traditional and real-time PCR reactions that can be applied in routine laboratory praxis as well as in epidemiological studies to detect M. canis and M. audouinii/M. ferrugineum DNA from a pure culture.
Topics: Arthrodermataceae; Humans; Microsporum; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Species Specificity
PubMed: 27306227
DOI: 10.1111/jdv.13681 -
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2023The aim of this work was to provide an overview of available information on the antibacterial and antifungal properties of extracts. A literature search of Scopus,... (Review)
Review
The aim of this work was to provide an overview of available information on the antibacterial and antifungal properties of extracts. A literature search of Scopus, PubMed/Medline, and Google Scholar for peer-reviewed articles published between January 2000 and June 2023 was undertaken. A total of 23 studies were eligible for inclusion in this review. Significant variation of antimicrobial activity depending on the tested species and strains, type of extract solvent, or plant organs utilized for the extract preparation was found. extracts were active against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and showed antimycotic effects against the fungi of and and the dermatophytes spp. Greater susceptibility of Gram-positive than Gram-negative bacteria to fireweed extracts was found. A strong antibacterial effect was recorded for , , , , , , and including multi-drug resistant strains. extract might find practical application as an antimicrobial in wound healing, components of cosmetic products for human and animals, or as food preservatives.
PubMed: 37895890
DOI: 10.3390/ph16101419 -
Emerging Microbes & Infections Dec 2023Genomes of strains of the zoophilic dermatophyte from invasive (disseminated and subcutaneous) and noninvasive (tinea capitis) infections were compared. Especially the...
Genomes of strains of the zoophilic dermatophyte from invasive (disseminated and subcutaneous) and noninvasive (tinea capitis) infections were compared. Especially the disseminated strain showed significant syntenic rearrangements, including multiple translocations and inversions, and numerous SNPs and Indels in comparison to the noninvasive strain. In transcriptome analysis, both invasive strains were enriched for GO pathways related to components of the membrane, iron binding and heme binding, which possibly enables them to invade deeper into dermis and blood vessels. At 37 °C, invasive strains showed gene expression enriched for DNA replication, mismatch repair, N-glycan biosynthesis and ribosome biogenesis. The invasive strains were slightly less susceptible to multiple antifungal agents suggesting that acquired elevated drug resistance might be involved in the refractory disease courses. Patient with disseminated infection failed to respond to a combined antifungal treatment with itraconazole, terbinafine, fluconazole and posaconazole.
Topics: Humans; Transcriptome; Tinea Capitis; Microsporum; Antifungal Agents
PubMed: 37288745
DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2023.2219346