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Philosophical Transactions of the Royal... Dec 2016Since 2006, there has been a marked increase in the number of reports of severe and often fatal fungal skin infections in wild snakes in the eastern USA. The emerging... (Review)
Review
Since 2006, there has been a marked increase in the number of reports of severe and often fatal fungal skin infections in wild snakes in the eastern USA. The emerging condition, referred to as snake fungal disease (SFD), was initially documented in rattlesnakes, where the infections were believed to pose a risk to the viability of affected populations. The disease is caused by Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola, a fungus recently split from a complex of fungi long referred to as the Chrysosporium anamorph of Nannizziopsis vriesii (CANV). Here we review the current state of knowledge about O. ophiodiicola and SFD. In addition, we provide original findings which demonstrate that O. ophiodiicola is widely distributed in eastern North America, has a broad host range, is the predominant cause of fungal skin infections in wild snakes and often causes mild infections in snakes emerging from hibernation. This new information, together with what is already available in the scientific literature, advances our knowledge of the cause, pathogenesis and ecology of SFD. However, additional research is necessary to elucidate the factors driving the emergence of this disease and develop strategies to mitigate its impacts.This article is part of the themed issue 'Tackling emerging fungal threats to animal health, food security and ecosystem resilience'.
Topics: Animals; Ascomycota; Canada; Chrysosporium; Dermatomycoses; Host Specificity; Prevalence; Snakes; United States
PubMed: 28080983
DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2015.0457 -
Nihon Ishinkin Gakkai Zasshi = Japanese... 2003Preventive measures against tinea pedis were discussed based on our mycological studies using foot-press method and house dust cultures. 1) Untreated patients with tinea... (Review)
Review
Preventive measures against tinea pedis were discussed based on our mycological studies using foot-press method and house dust cultures. 1) Untreated patients with tinea pedis frequently disseminate pathogenic fungi into the environment, but dissemination could be easily controlled by simple application of antifungal agents. 2) A high proportion of dermatophytes disseminated in house dust perished naturally within a month under dry conditions, while under moist conditions they survived several months or more. Therefore, humid areas such as the floor and carpet of a bathroom should be cleaned or washed regularly. 3) Adhesion of dermatophytes onto healthy feet usually happens in public spaces where people enter without shoes. Wearing socks cannot prevent dermatophyte adhesion. Cleaning the feet by wiping with a towel or washing with soap seemed to be an effective prophylactic measure after stepping into such spaces.
Topics: Dermatomycoses; Humans
PubMed: 14615791
DOI: 10.3314/jjmm.44.265 -
Nihon Ishinkin Gakkai Zasshi = Japanese... 2006Environments may act as reservoirs for pathogenic fungi, a determinant of the establishment of fungal infection, or an exacerbating factor of disease. In recent years,... (Review)
Review
Environments may act as reservoirs for pathogenic fungi, a determinant of the establishment of fungal infection, or an exacerbating factor of disease. In recent years, skin disease caused by geophilic fungi has been decreasing, while case reports of zoonoses from various animals are increasing. Outbreaks of anthropophilic T. tonsurans infection pose a problem to medical mycologists. Tinea pedis is the most common exogenous dermatomycosis in Japan. Although T. rubrum is presumed to be the dominant pathogen of this disease, T. mentagrophytes is detected more frequently from various environments, so far, the reason for this discrepancy has not been fully understood. The latest knowledge about the route of dermatophyte foot infection is as follows: (1) Dermatophyte propagules disseminated from patients may contaminate not only bath-mats but also wood floors, Japanese style mattings, concrete floors, slippers, cushions, etc., and from them adhere to healthy skin. (2) The agar stamping method can easily detect dermatophytes from the skin and the environment. (3) Propagules of T. mentagrophytes can survive for more than three months under certain conditions such as in rubber boots. (4) In order to eliminate dermatophytes gathered in socks and footwear, simple procedures (washing, bathing with hot water, or wiping with a towel) are all effective. (5) Prior application of an antifungal agent promptly eradicates dermatophyte propagules adhering to the skin from the environment. The author also mentioned the possibility of asymptomatic dermatophyte colonization, and the high prevalence of dysgeucia in oral carriers of Candida albicans.
Topics: Animals; Antifungal Agents; Dermatomycoses; Disease Reservoirs; Environment; Foot Dermatoses; Humans; Tinea Pedis; Zoonoses
PubMed: 16699484
DOI: 10.3314/jjmm.47.63 -
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 -
Annals of Parasitology 2012Current issues concerning Parasitology and Mycology with regard to diseases of the skin and its appendages are presented. Aspects of diagnostics, clinical picture and... (Review)
Review
Current issues concerning Parasitology and Mycology with regard to diseases of the skin and its appendages are presented. Aspects of diagnostics, clinical picture and therapy of skin and nail mycoses, as well as difficulties in the diagnosis and treatment of both native parasitoses (toxoplasmosis) and imported human tropical parasitoses (malaria, filariosis) have been emphasised. The clinical importance of environmental mould fungi in nosocomial infections and fungal meningitis, as well as selected properties of fungi isolated from patients with head and neck neoplasms treated by radiotherapy are discussed. Other mycological topics include the characteristics of newly-synthesized thiosemicarbazides and thiadiazoles as potential drugs against toxoplasmosis and their biological activity against Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites, selected molecular mechanisms of resistance to azoles, Candida albicans strains and a new tool (barcoding DNA) for describing the biodiversity of potential allergenic molds. The importance of environmental factors in pathogenesis of mycoses and parasitoses is noted. The characteristics of pathogenic fungi isolated from natural ponds in Bialystok and potentially pathogenic yeast-like fungi isolated from children's recreation areas in Lodz are presented. The ongoing problem of anthropozoonoses is considered, as are the roles of stray cats and dogs in contaminating soil with the developing forms of intestinal parasites. The characteristics of the human microbiome, including population composition, activity and their importance in normal human physiology, are presented, as are the major goals of the Human Microbiome Project initiated by National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Topics: Animals; Dermatomycoses; Humans; Mycoses; Parasitic Diseases; Zoonoses
PubMed: 23444796
DOI: No ID Found -
Nihon Ishinkin Gakkai Zasshi = Japanese... 2009The Japanese Dermatological Association produced some guidelines for the management of cutaneous fungal infection in cooperation with the Japanese Society for Medical... (Review)
Review
The Japanese Dermatological Association produced some guidelines for the management of cutaneous fungal infection in cooperation with the Japanese Society for Medical Mycology, in which the importance of an accurate diagnosis of the fungal infection before antifungal treatment is emphasized. Here I comment on conventional mycological tests including direct microscopic examination and fungal cultures, which have been listed in the guidelines. Sampling of the clinical specimen is the most important step in mycological tests, so dermatologists should be aware of how and where good specimens are obtained. Direct microscopic examination of a KOH (potassium hydroxide) mounted preparation is the most simple and important test for diagnosing superficial fungal infection and dematiaceous fungal infection, which requires that dermatologists be skilled. The fungal culture is important in determining the therapeutic strategy and prophylaxis of the fungal infection, especially in cases of tinea capitis, tinea corporis, and deep mycoses. It is imperative that dermatologists be fully trained and prepared in order to implement these procedures when the occasion demands.
Topics: Antifungal Agents; Clinical Competence; Dermatology; Dermatomycoses; Fungi; Humans; Hydroxides; Japan; Microscopy; Mycology; Potassium Compounds; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Skin; Societies, Medical; Specimen Handling
PubMed: 19942788
DOI: 10.3314/jjmm.50.195 -
Clinical Microbiology Reviews Jan 2002Malassezia species are members of the human cutaneous commensal flora, in addition to causing a wide range of cutaneous and systemic diseases in suitably predisposed... (Review)
Review
Malassezia species are members of the human cutaneous commensal flora, in addition to causing a wide range of cutaneous and systemic diseases in suitably predisposed individuals. Studies examining cellular and humoral immune responses specific to Malassezia species in patients with Malassezia-associated diseases and healthy controls have generally been unable to define significant differences in their immune response. The use of varied antigenic preparations and strains from different Malassezia classifications may partly be responsible for this, although these problems can now be overcome by using techniques based on recent work defining some important antigens and also a new taxonomy for the genus. The finding that the genus Malassezia is immunomodulatory is important in understanding its ability to cause disease. Stimulation of the reticuloendothelial system and activation of the complement cascade contrasts with its ability to suppress cytokine release and downregulate phagocytic uptake and killing. The lipid-rich layer around the yeast appears to be pivotal in this alteration of phenotype. Defining the nonspecific immune response to Malassezia species and the way in which the organisms modulate it may well be the key to understanding how Malassezia species can exist as both commensals and pathogens.
Topics: Dermatomycoses; Fungemia; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Malassezia; Skin; Tinea Versicolor
PubMed: 11781265
DOI: 10.1128/CMR.15.1.21-57.2002 -
Mycoses Jul 2022Fungal skin infections are recognised as one of the most common health disorders globally, and dermatophyte infections of the skin, hair and nails are the most common...
BACKGROUND
Fungal skin infections are recognised as one of the most common health disorders globally, and dermatophyte infections of the skin, hair and nails are the most common fungal infections. Dermatophytes can be classified as anthropophilic, zoophilic or geophilic species based on their primary habitat association, and this classification makes epidemiological analysis useful for the prevention and control of these infections. The Irish contribution to the epidemiology of these infections has been scant, with just two papers (both reporting paediatric tinea capitis only) published in the last 20 years, and none in the last seven.
OBJECTIVES
To perform a comprehensive retrospective epidemiological analysis of all dermatological mycology tests performed in University Hospital Limerick over a 20-year period.
METHODS
All mycology laboratory test results were extracted from the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS, iLab, DXC Technologies) from 2001 to 2020 inclusive for analysis. Specimen types were categorised according to the site of sampling. The data were analysed using Microsoft Excel.
RESULTS
About 12,951 specimens of skin, hair and nails were studied. Median patient age was 42 years (IQR 26-57) with a slight female preponderance (57.2%). Two thirds of samples (67%, n = 8633) were nail, 32% were skin scrapings (n = 4118) and 200 hair samples (1.5%) were received. Zoophilic dermatophytes were more commonly present in females (38% F, 23% M, proportion of dermatophytes) and in those under 10 years of age or from 45 to 70 years (36% and 34% zoophiles, respectively, proportion of dermatophytes), although anthropophiles predominated every age and gender category. Anthropophiles had their highest prevalence in the 10-20 years age category (80% anthropophiles, proportion of dermatophytes), and yeast infections were more prevalent in older patients (29% of >60 year olds vs. 17% of <60 year olds, proportion of all fungal positives). Trichophyton rubrum was the most prevalent pathogen detected, accounting for 53% of all dermatophytes detected, 61% of those detected from nail samples and 34% from skin and hair samples. Trichophyton tonsurans was the most prevalent dermatophyte in tinea capitis, accounting for 37% of dermatophytes detected. Both of these organisms are anthropophilic, and this group showed consistently increased prevalence in proportion to all fungal isolates. The proportion of this dermatophyte class (anthropophiles) increased among both nail samples and skin/hair samples during the study period, from 55% of samples in the first 5 years of the study (2001-2005) to 88% (proportion of dermatophytes) in the final 5 years. Conversely, yeast detection decreased.
CONCLUSIONS
This study provides a detailed overview of the epidemiology of the fungal cultures of skin, nail and hair samples in the Mid-West of Ireland over a 20-year period. Monitoring this changing landscape is important in identifying likely sources of infections, to identifying potential outbreaks, and may help guide empiric treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the first detailed analysis from Ireland of fungal detections from skin, hair and nail samples, and is the first epidemiological fungal report of any kind in over 7 years.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Arthrodermataceae; Child; Dermatomycoses; Female; Humans; Ireland; Middle Aged; Onychomycosis; Retrospective Studies; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Tinea Capitis
PubMed: 35598177
DOI: 10.1111/myc.13473 -
Clinical Microbiology and Infection :... Aug 2008The genus Alternaria contains several species of melanized hyphomycetes that cause opportunistic human infections. The published literature contains 210 reported cases... (Review)
Review
The genus Alternaria contains several species of melanized hyphomycetes that cause opportunistic human infections. The published literature contains 210 reported cases of human alternarioses between 1933 and the present day. The most frequent clinical manifestations are cutaneous and subcutaneous infections (74.3%), followed by oculomycosis (9.5%), invasive and non-invasive rhinosinusitis (8.1%) and onychomycosis (8.1%). Immunosuppression is frequently associated with cutaneous and subcutaneous infections and rhinosinusitis. The most important risk factors for cutaneous and subcutaneous infections are solid organ transplantation and Cushing's syndrome, and those for rhinosinusitis are bone marrow transplants. Having been exposed to soil and garbage is common in all cases of oculomycosis, with corticotherapy being a risk factor in 50% of these cases. Previous contact with soil and/or trauma to the nails is associated with most cases of onychomycosis. In general, alternariosis shows a good response to conventional antifungal drugs. On some occasions, steroid suppression or reduction is sufficient to resolve an infection. Itraconazole is the antifungal drug used most frequently to successfully treat onychomycosis and cutaneous and subcutaneous infections. Posaconazole and voriconazole are promising therapeutic options, with the latter being especially so for oculomycosis.
Topics: Alternaria; Antifungal Agents; Clinical Laboratory Techniques; Dermatomycoses; Eye Infections, Fungal; Humans; Mycoses
PubMed: 18727797
DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2008.02024.x -
Journal Der Deutschen Dermatologischen... May 2013Opportunistic yeast infections are diseases caused by fungi which normally are saprophytic and do not cause disease in humans or animals. The prevalence of these... (Review)
Review
Opportunistic yeast infections are diseases caused by fungi which normally are saprophytic and do not cause disease in humans or animals. The prevalence of these diseases has been increasing due to immunosuppressive, corticosteroid, and long-term antibiotic treatment following organ transplantation or after serious metabolic, hematological, or immunological diseases. We review epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects of the four "big" opportunistic yeast infections: candidiasis, cryptococcosis, trichosporonosis, and geotrichosis.
Topics: Antifungal Agents; Dermatomycoses; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Opportunistic Infections
PubMed: 23621330
DOI: 10.1111/ddg.12097