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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 -
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 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2022
Topics: Candida; Fungi; Genomics
PubMed: 35719349
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.928440 -
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 -
QJM : Monthly Journal of the... Oct 2022
Topics: Humans; Microsporum; Disease Outbreaks
PubMed: 35861567
DOI: 10.1093/qjmed/hcac170 -
Annales de Dermatologie Et de... Oct 2020Tattoos are occasionally associated with cutaneous infections. Diagnosis can be challenging as the clinical presentation of such infections may differ from those on... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Tattoos are occasionally associated with cutaneous infections. Diagnosis can be challenging as the clinical presentation of such infections may differ from those on plain skin. Herein we report an atypical form of tinea corporis restricted to two recent tattoos during healing, caused by environmental contamination. We reviewed the literature for all cases of fungal infection after tattooing.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
A 27-year-old female patient was seen for ring-shaped, erosive, oozing, pruritic and rapidly extensive skin lesions as well as infiltrated papular lesions occurring on tattoos done 6 and 12 days earlier. Fungal analysis revealed Microsporum canis. History-taking indicated that the patient's cat had ringworm and that the patient's sister also had skin lesions consistent with tinea corporis.
DISCUSSION
Tinea on tattoos is rarely reported. We found ten additional cases in the literature, as well as five cases of less common fungal infections. These could be explained by the skin break created by the needle during tattooing resulting in an impaired skin barrier, or by accidental self-inoculation (e.g. foot-tattoos). The hypothesis of local immune deficiency induced by tattoo inks strikes us as rather improbable. Unlike usual cases of infections (pyogenic bacteria, mycobacteria, viral hepatitis), fungal infections are not related to a lack of hygiene on the part of the tattooist, but rather to contamination during the healing phase. Their clinical presentation may be atypical, resulting in diagnostic difficulties.
Topics: Adult; Animals; Cats; Female; Humans; Ink; Microsporum; Skin; Tattooing; Tinea; Zoonoses
PubMed: 32654791
DOI: 10.1016/j.annder.2020.04.019 -
Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2018is a worldwide diffused zoophilic dermatophyte which causes clinical conditions often characterised by multifocal alopecia, scaling, and circular lesions in many animal... (Review)
Review
is a worldwide diffused zoophilic dermatophyte which causes clinical conditions often characterised by multifocal alopecia, scaling, and circular lesions in many animal species, including humans. A large variety of oral and topical antifungal protocols is available for treating infection. However, the efficacy of these drugs and treatment protocols is variable, with treatment failure up to 40% of patients possibly due to resistance phenomena. The lack of standardised reference methods for evaluating the antifungal susceptibility of represents a major hindrance in assessing microbiological resistance in unresponsive clinical cases. Therefore, data about conventional therapy against and the protocols employed to test the antifungal activity of the most commonly employed drugs (i.e., azoles, polyenes, allylamines, and griseofulvin) have been summarised herein. This article focuses on technical parameters used for antifungal susceptibility tests, their effects on the minimum inhibitory concentration value, as well as their clinical implications.
PubMed: 30189676
DOI: 10.3390/jof4030107 -
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 -
Current Opinion in Pediatrics Aug 2021Tinea capitis, a superficial infection of the scalp, is the most common pediatric dermatophyte fungal infection worldwide and is particularly common in the USA in... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Tinea capitis, a superficial infection of the scalp, is the most common pediatric dermatophyte fungal infection worldwide and is particularly common in the USA in low-income, low-resource settings. There are still gaps in knowledge and heterogeneities in practice in terms of diagnostic and management strategies. Furthermore, there are no clinical guidelines for management and treatment of tinea capitis in the USA. This review aims to summarize recent advances, recommend optimal management for the practicing pediatrician, and identify areas for future research for tinea capitis.
RECENT FINDINGS
Trichophyton tonsurans infections are best treated with terbinafine and Microsporum canis infections are best treated with griseofulvin. Trichophyton tonsurans is the predominant cause of tinea capitis in the USA, although the main gold standard of treatment in the USA is griseofulvin. Dermatophyte antifungal resistance is an active area of investigation but seems to not be of current concern for tinea capitis in the USA.
SUMMARY
We recommend all clinical providers ascertain the causative organism in fungal infection, either through fungal culture or newer methods which may become more readily available and cost-effective in the future, such as polymerase chain reaction assay. We also recommend terbinafine as first-line treatment of tinea capitis, with adjustment as necessary after species identification.
Topics: Antifungal Agents; Arthrodermataceae; Child; Fluconazole; Humans; Itraconazole; Microsporum; Naphthalenes; Tinea Capitis
PubMed: 34226424
DOI: 10.1097/MOP.0000000000001034