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Medical Mycology Journal 2016Dermatophytoses are among the most frequently diagnosed skin infections worldwide. However, the distribution of pathogenic species and the predominating anatomical sites...
Dermatophytoses are among the most frequently diagnosed skin infections worldwide. However, the distribution of pathogenic species and the predominating anatomical sites of infection vary with geographical location and change over time. The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiological and aetiological factors of dermatophytoses in Crete, Greece over the last 5-year period (2011-2015) and their incidence in relation to the gender and the age of the patients. We compared our findings with those previously reported from the same area and from other parts of the world. A total of 2,910 clinical specimens (skin scrapings, nail clippings, and hair specimens) obtained from 2,751 patients with signs of dermatomycoses were examined using direct microscopy and culture. Overall, 294 specimens (10.1%) were proved mycologically positive for dermatophytes. The age of the patients ranged from 2 to 86 years (mean age, 37 years). Tinea corporis was the predominant clinical type of infection, followed by tinea unguium, tinea pedis, tinea capitis, tinea faciei, tinea cruris and tinea manuum. Among dermatophytes, eight species were isolated: Microsporum canis (35.8%), Trichophyton rubrum (35.1%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (23.3%), Epidermophyton floccosum (2.5%), Microsporum gypseum (1.8%), Trichophyton violaceum (0.7%), Trichophyton verrucosum (0.4%), and Trichophyton tonsurans (0.4%). In our area, the most common dermatophyte was M. canis followed by T. rubrum. Increased migration, mass tourism, and climate changes will contribute to further changes in the epidemiology of dermatophytoses in our area. Continuing studies are necessary for determining the new epidemiological trends and to implement the appropriate control measures.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Distribution; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Child; Child, Preschool; Epidermophyton; Female; Greece; Humans; Male; Microsporum; Middle Aged; Sex Distribution; Time Factors; Tinea; Trichophyton; Young Adult
PubMed: 27904054
DOI: 10.3314/mmj.16-00008 -
Advanced Biomedical Research 2020Dermatomycoses contain superficial fungal infections of keratinized layers of the body such as skin, hair, and nail that affect more than 20%-25% of people and animals...
BACKGROUND
Dermatomycoses contain superficial fungal infections of keratinized layers of the body such as skin, hair, and nail that affect more than 20%-25% of people and animals worldwide. Some fungi can cause superficial infections in animals after accidental penetration and colonization on injured skin and can be transmitted to humans by exposure. The infection caused mainly by dermatophyte species and may also be caused rarely by yeasts and nondermatophytic molds.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Eighty-two skin scrapings and hair samples were collected from animals (sheep, cow, cat, camel, calf, goat, horse, and dog) in three specialized pet clinics and three livestock and slaughterhouses. The isolates were identified using direct microscopy, culture, and polymerase chain reaction-sequencing of ITS1-5.8SrDNA-ITS2 region.
RESULTS
Thirteen mold strains out of 82 clinical samples (15.8%) were isolated from animal lesions. ( = 4; 30.7%), ( = 2; 15.4%), ( = 2; 15.4%), ( = 1; 7.7%), ( = 1; 7.7%), ( = 1; 7.7%), ( = 1; 7.7%), and ( = 1; 7.7%) were isolated from clinical specimens.
CONCLUSION
Since opportunistic fungi are increasing as etiological agents of dermatomycoses, isolation of these molds from wounds can be a warning to veterinarians, and daily cleaning of wounds with a proper disinfectant is recommended for the prevention of fungal colonization.
PubMed: 32055538
DOI: 10.4103/abr.abr_230_19 -
Scientific Reports Feb 2021Keratin is important and needed for the growth of dermatophytes in the host tissue. In turn, the ability to invade keratinised tissues is defined as a pivotal virulence...
Keratin is important and needed for the growth of dermatophytes in the host tissue. In turn, the ability to invade keratinised tissues is defined as a pivotal virulence attribute of this group of medically important fungi. The host-dermatophyte interaction is accompanied by an adaptation of fungal metabolism that allows them to adhere to the host tissue as well as utilize the available nutrients necessary for their survival and growth. Dermatophyte infections pose a significant epidemiological and clinical problem. Trichophyton rubrum is the most common anthropophilic dermatophyte worldwide and its typical infection areas include skin of hands or feet and nail plate. In turn, Microsporum canis is a zoophilic pathogen, and mostly well known for ringworm in pets, it is also known to infect humans. The aim of the study was to compare the intracellular metabolite content in the T. rubrum and M. canis during keratin degradation using liquid chromatography system coupled with tandem mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS). The metabolite "fingerprints" revealed compounds associated with amino acids metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism related to the glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA), as well as nucleotide and energy metabolism. The metabolites such as kynurenic acid, L-alanine and cysteine in case of T. rubrum as well as cysteine and riboflavin in case of M. canis were detected only during keratin degradation what may suggest that these compounds may play a key role in the interactions of T. rubrum and M. canis with the host tissue. The metabolomic results were completed by qPCR gene expression assay. Our findings suggest that metabolomic analysis of T. rubrum and M. canis growing in culture media that mimic the dermatophyte infection could allow the understanding of processes involved in the pathogenesis of dermatophytes.
Topics: Arthrodermataceae; Chromatography, Liquid; Dermatomycoses; Keratins; Metabolomics; Microsporum; Skin; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Tinea; Trichophyton
PubMed: 33597693
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-83632-z -
Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2021Among the top five human infections requiring medical treatment is dermatitis. Treatment of bacterial and fungal skin infections is usually based on antibiotic therapy,...
Among the top five human infections requiring medical treatment is dermatitis. Treatment of bacterial and fungal skin infections is usually based on antibiotic therapy, which is often ineffective due to the involvement of antibiotic-resistant microbial strains. The aim of this study was to compare the antimicrobial activity of essential oils (EOs) and hydrolates (Hys) extracted from six aromatic plants grown in Italy ( and ) towards fungal (, , and ; , , , and ) and bacterial strains ( MRSA, MSSA, , VRE, and ) potentially pathogenic for human skin. The composition and antimicrobial activity of EOs and Hys were evaluated using the Gas-chromatography mass spectrometry and micro dilution-broth test, respectively. The volatiles' conversion factors (CFs) were calculated to compare the activity of Hys with that of the corresponding EOs. Data show that, although the minimum inhibitory concentration values of EOs are lower than the corresponding Hys, the volatiles contained in Hys are more effective at inhibiting microbial growth because they are active at lower concentrations.
PubMed: 33477717
DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10010088 -
New Biotechnology May 2022Keratinases are proteases that can catalyze the degradation of insoluble keratinous biomass. Keratinases in protease family M36 (MEROPS database) are endo-acting...
Keratinases are proteases that can catalyze the degradation of insoluble keratinous biomass. Keratinases in protease family M36 (MEROPS database) are endo-acting proteases. In total, 687 proteases are classified in family M36. In the present study, new keratinolytic enzymes were identified in protease family M36 using the bioinformatics tool Conserved Unique Peptide Patterns (CUPP). Via CUPP, M36 family members were classified into 11 groups, with CUPP group 1 containing the three currently known and sequenced family M36 keratinases (derived from the fungi Fusarium oxysporum, Microsporum canis and Onygena corvina) as well as an additional 71 uncharacterized M36 proteases. In order to assess the relevance of CUPP group 1 categorization to keratinolytic function, four uncharacterized M36 proteases and the known keratinase from F. oxysporum (in CUPP group 1) were selected for recombinant expression and keratinolytic activity assessment. The four hitherto unknown M36 proteases were from Phaeosphaeria nodorum, Aspergillus clavatus, Pseudogymnoascus pannorum and Nectria haematococca, and represent four different fungal taxonomical classes. The genes encoding the selected M36 proteases were individually expressed in Pichia pastoris and all proteases displayed keratinase activity on keratin azure. Additionally, the activity on different keratinase substrates, optimal reaction conditions and thermal stability were determined for the two most active new keratinases. The results validate the applicability of CUPP for function-based discovery of non-characterized keratinases and present new robust keratinases for potential use in keratin upgrading.
Topics: Computational Biology; Endopeptidases; Fungi; Keratins; Peptide Hydrolases
PubMed: 35032710
DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2022.01.004 -
Archives of Iranian Medicine Aug 2022Dermatophytosis still remains a major public health concern worldwide, particularly in developing countries. This study was undertaken to determine the etiological and...
BACKGROUND
Dermatophytosis still remains a major public health concern worldwide, particularly in developing countries. This study was undertaken to determine the etiological and epidemiological factors of dermatophyte infections in Tehran, Iran.
METHODS
A total of 1530 patients clinically suspected of cutaneous fungal infections were examined in two hospitals over a period of 10 years (2010-2020). Samples were analyzed using direct microscopic examination and culture. Data regarding age, gender, and clinical manifestations were also recorded.
RESULTS
Out of 1530 cases examined, dermatophytes were detected in 493 (32.2%) patients. Of these patients, 288 (58.4%) were males and 205 (41.6%) were females. The most affected age group was the 25-44 years old (31.6%). Tinea corporis (n=134) was the most prevalent type of ringworm, followed by tinea cruris (n=131), tinea pedis (n=90), tinea manuum (n=65), tinea unguium (n=29), tinea faciei (n=20), tinea capitis (n=18), and tinea barbae (n=2). Both tinea cruris (<0.001) and tinea pedis (=0.002) had a significant association with male gender. As for etiological agents, (29.0%) was the most frequent isolate, followed by T (25.8%), (25.3%), (6.9%), (4.9%), (4.5%), (2.0%), and (1.6%).
CONCLUSION
Dermatophytes are still the prevailing causes of fungal infection of the skin, hair, and nails in Iran. Further studies with larger samples sizes and inclusion of diverse locations would yield more accurate results.
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Adult; Tinea Pedis; Retrospective Studies; Tinea cruris; Iran; Tinea
PubMed: 37543872
DOI: 10.34172/aim.2022.82 -
Journal of Infection in Developing... Nov 2022Dermatophytoses are superficial mycoses, and the identification of their etiological agents is routinely performed by culture and microscopic features, which is...
INTRODUCTION
Dermatophytoses are superficial mycoses, and the identification of their etiological agents is routinely performed by culture and microscopic features, which is time-consuming and relies on personnel expertise. Molecular approaches have been developed to provide faster and reliable results; therefore, this study aimed to identify dermatophytes isolated from Alagoas state patients, employing phenotypical and molecular methods.
METHODOLOGY
Clinical samples for morphological identification were collected from private and public laboratories and cultivated on Sabouraud dextrose agar. DNA extraction was followed by ITS amplicon analysis after restriction enzyme digestion DdeI (ITS-RFLP).
RESULTS
Out of fourteen representative strains, ITS-RFLP with DdeI efficiently identified Microsporum canis, Nannizzia gypsea, and Trichophyton rubrum, while species of the complex T. tonsurans/T. mentagrophytes presented the same restriction pattern. After genotyping, 2 T. tonsurans and 1 Microsporum sp. strain were reclassified as T. rubrum.
CONCLUSIONS
RFLP of ITS-region followed by DdeI digestion produced faster and relatively reliable results than classic methods; however, this method has not been as efficient for closely related dermatophytes cryptic species.
Topics: Humans; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; Arthrodermataceae; Brazil; Dermatomycoses; Culture Media
PubMed: 36449651
DOI: 10.3855/jidc.17077 -
Journal Der Deutschen Dermatologischen... Mar 2014Dermatomycoses are caused most commonly by dermatophytes. The anthropophilic dermatophyte Trichophyton rubrum is still the most frequent causative agent worldwide.... (Review)
Review
Dermatomycoses are caused most commonly by dermatophytes. The anthropophilic dermatophyte Trichophyton rubrum is still the most frequent causative agent worldwide. Keratinolytic enzymes, e.g. hydrolases and keratinases, are important virulence factors of T. rubrum. Recently, the cysteine dioxygenase was found as new virulence factor. Predisposing host factors play a similarly important role for the development of dermatophytosis of the skin and nails. Chronic venous insufficiency, diabetes mellitus, disorders of cellular immunity, and genetic predisposition should be considered as risk factors for onychomycosis. A new alarming trend is the increasing number of cases of onychomycosis - mostly due to T. rubrum - in infancy. In Germany, tinea capitis is mostly caused by zoophilic dermatophytes, in particular Microsporum canis. New zoophilic fungi, primarily Trichophyton species of Arthroderma benhamiae, should be taken into differential diagnostic considerations of tinea capitis, tinea faciei, and tinea corporis. Source of infection are small household pets, particularly rodents, like guinea pigs. Anthropophilic dermatophytes may be introduced by families which immigrate from Africa or Asia to Europe. The anthropophilic dermatophytes T. violaceum, T. tonsurans (infections occurring in fighting sports clubs as "tinea gladiatorum capitis et corporis") and M. audouinii are causing outbreaks of small epidemics of tinea corporis and tinea capitis in kindergartens and schools. Superficial infections of the skin and mucous membranes due to yeasts are caused by Candida species. Also common are infections due to the lipophilic yeast fungus Malassezia. Today, within the genus Malassezia more than 10 different species are known. Malassezia globosa seems to play the crucial role in pityriasis versicolor. Molds (also designated non-dermatophyte molds, NDM) are increasingly found as causative agents in onychomycosis. Besides Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, several species of Fusarium and Aspergillus are found.
Topics: Arthrodermataceae; Causality; Comorbidity; Dermatomycoses; Diabetes Mellitus; Evidence-Based Medicine; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Immune System Diseases; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Survival Rate; Venous Insufficiency
PubMed: 24533779
DOI: 10.1111/ddg.12245 -
Medical Mycology Journal 2023This is a report of the results of the epidemiological survey on dermatomycoses conducted in 2021. A total of 9,442 patients with dermatomycosis were reported for one...
This is a report of the results of the epidemiological survey on dermatomycoses conducted in 2021. A total of 9,442 patients with dermatomycosis were reported for one year. They include 8,151 (86.3%) with dermatophytosis, 796 (8.4%) with candidiasis, 484 (5.1%) with Malassezia infection, and 11 (0.1%) with deep cutaneous mycosis. In order, the most common types of dermatophytoses were tinea pedis (4,195 cases, 2,341 males and 1,854 females), tinea unguium (2,711 cases, 1,509 males and 1,202 females), tinea corporis (674 cases, 445 males and 229 females), tinea cruris (399 cases, 305 males and 94 females), tinea manus (125 cases, 78 males and 47 females), and tinea capitis (47 cases, 25 males and 22 females). The number of cases of tinea pedis and tinea unguium increased during the summer. A higher percentage of patients were aged 80 or older than in previous surveys. These findings may reflect the increasing percentage of elderly patients seen and the superannuation of the population. As in previous surveys, Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton interdigitale were the two most frequently isolated species of fungi causing dermatophytoses. Microsporum canis and Trichophyton tonsurans were the two species most often causing tinea capitis.Regarding cutaneous candidiasis, while candidal intertrigo was the most common in previous surveys, diaper candidiasis in the elderly was the most common in this survey. A background check revealed that this was because a facility included a semi-prophylactic approach to address diaper candidiasis occurring within the ward.Malassezia infections by Malassezia folliculitis clearly increased with each survey. The tendency of certain facilities with many reports of Malassezia folliculitis suggests that it is greatly affected by the presence of physicians familiar with the disease.
Topics: Male; Aged; Female; Humans; Tinea Pedis; Dermatomycoses; Onychomycosis; Japan; Tinea; Candidiasis, Cutaneous; Tinea Capitis; Candidiasis; Folliculitis; Trichophyton
PubMed: 38030276
DOI: 10.3314/mmj.23-00008 -
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland) May 2022and dermatophyte infections are difficult to treat due to increasing antifungal drugs resistance such as fluconazole, as well as the emergence of multi-resistance in...
and dermatophyte infections are difficult to treat due to increasing antifungal drugs resistance such as fluconazole, as well as the emergence of multi-resistance in clinical bacteria. Here, we first synthesized silver nanoparticles using aqueous fruit extracts from subsp. (L.). The characterization of the AgNPs by means of UV, XRD, FTIR, and TEM showed that the AgNPs had a uniform spherical shape with average sizes of 40-50 nm. The biosynthesized AgNPs showed high antioxidant activity when investigated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. The AgNPs displayed strong antibacterial potential expressed by the maximum zone inhibition and the lowest MIC and MBC values. The AgNPs revealed a significant antifungal effect against the growth and biofilm of species. In fact, the AgNPs were efficient against and . The antifungal mechanisms of action of the AgNPs seem to be due to the disruption of membrane integrity and a reduction in virulence factors (biofilm and hyphae formation and a reduction in germination). Finally, the silver nanoparticles also showed important cytotoxic activity against the human multiple myeloma U266 cell line and the human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. Therefore, we describe new silver nanoparticles with promising biomedical application in the development of novel antimicrobial and anticancer agents.
PubMed: 35564294
DOI: 10.3390/nano12091585