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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Dermatophytosis is a superficial fungal infection of keratinized tissue caused by dermatophytes. The dermatophytes are included in three fungal genera: Epidermophyton, Microsporum, and Trichophyton. The infections caused by dermatophytes are known as ringworm or tinea infections. Although there are increasing numbers of antifungals available for the treatment of dermatophytes, some cases and relapses have been unresponsive to treatment. The aim and objectives of the present study are to identify the dermatophyte species causing superficial fungal infections and study their susceptibility to antifungals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 clinically diagnosed cases of dermatophytosis of patients attending the dermatology outdoor patient department were studied. The samples of these patients were collected and processed for microscopic examination and fungal culture. The causative dermatophytes were isolated and identified. Antifungal susceptibility testing of dermatophytes was done by Epsilometer strip minimum inhibitory concentration method against antifungal agents - fluconazole, itraconazole, and terbinafine. RESULTS: The most common clinical presentation in patients found was tinea corporis. Maximum dermatophyte isolates obtained on culture were Trichophyton rubrum. On antifungal susceptibility testing, terbinafine showed good results compared to azoles. CONCLUSION: Antifungal susceptibility testing of dermatophytes could be performed to study response and assist clinicians in choosing an effective therapy for patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dermatophyte fungi are a common cause of skin, nail and hair infections globally, ranging from mild to cosmetically disfiguring, or even invasive infections in rare cases. Specimens requiring fungal microscopy and culture for suspected dermatophyte infection make up a significant portion of the workload in diagnostic microbiology laboratories. Whilst still considered the gold standard, a dermatophyte culture-based method is labour intensive, has poor sensitivity, slow result turnaround time and requires significant expertise for identification of the fungi. Molecular diagnostics, especially real time PCR, have the potential to improve diagnostic sensitivity, reduce labour requirements and decrease result turnaround times. Despite these advantages, a PCR-based approach may present some difficulties and disadvantages, most notably its diagnostic range and incompatibility with oral therapy prescribing requirements under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Here we review current best practices and future prospects for laboratory diagnosis of dermatophyte infections, including the role of microscopy, culture and direct PCR.

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 (P < 0.001) and tinea pedis (P = 0.002) had a significant association with male gender. As for etiological agents, Trichophyton mentagrophytes (29.0%) was the most frequent isolate, followed by Trichophyton tonsurans (25.8%), Trichophyton rubrum (25.3%), Epidermophyton floccosum (6.9%), Trichophyton verrucosum (4.9%), Microsporum audouinii (4.5%), Microsporum canis (2.0%), and Trichophyton violaceum (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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We sought to determine the distribution of the different dermatophyte species diagnosed in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Methods: A total of 281 participants were suspected of having dermatomycotic lesions. Material collected from skin, hair, and nails were submitted to direct microscopy examination using KOH, cultured in Sabouraud dextrose agar, to identify the 131 dermatophytes isolated. Results: 142 (50.5%) of 281 participants were males and 139 (49.5%) were females. The mean (±SD) age of the patients was 29.92 ± 21.73 years. Among the 281 mycological suspects cases, 131 patients had dermatophyte infections based on culture. Tissues with positive cultures were the skin (41%, 73), nails (20.7%, 37), and hair (11.8%, 21). The fungal infection locations were the nails (20.79%, 37), followed by the face (11.24%, 20), soles in the feet (11.24%, 20), and body (7.87%, 14). Onychomycosis (13.1%, 37) was the common clinical form of dermatomycosis, followed by tinea corporis (18.8%, 53), tinea capitis (7.5%, 21), and tinea pedis (7.1%, 20). The most common fungal infection was onychomycosis caused by the anthropophilic species Trichophyton Rubrum. The most isolated dermatophyte was Trichophyton Rubrum (26.7%, 35), followed by Microsporum Canis (19.8%, 26) and Trichophyton Tonsurans (13.7%, 18). Conclusion: Our data provide a valuable baseline on which to assess future efforts directed toward preventing dermatophytosis infections in our epidemiological setting.

Background:Squalene epoxidase gene is an azole antifungal target enzyme in the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway in fungi—the inhibition of enzyme aggregate squalene, a type of ergosterol derivative depletion that leads to fungal growth inhibition. Squalene epoxidase widely diverges in three fungal groups of dermatophytes Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophyton. Methodology:The study has demonstrated a variety of squalene epoxidase genes in the dermatophyte genome. Squalene epoxidase gene was also studied for possible single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) in the Trichophyton group's homologs and found multiple SNP positions that induce non-synonymous mutation and change thesequence of amino acid into protein structure that can change phenylalanine to leucine. Results:Squalene epoxidase is widely present in dermatophytes. Mutation in the squalene epoxidase gene can mislead normal sterol formation in the fungal cell membrane that induces fungal resistance against several drugs, including azoles and polyenes. Squalene epoxidase gene carries 2 -3 transcripts and 2 -3 number of exons. Squalene epoxidase gene has FAD-dependent oxidoreductases and NADP binding domain conserved domains in fungal groups of dermatophytes.Conclusion:Thisstudyanalyzed the abundance of the squalene epoxidase gene, suggesting that squalene epoxidase gene resistant mutants can occur naturally. Thus squalene epoxidase gene should be extensively studied in order to increase the potential of available antifungals.

Dermatophytes constitute an infection source for both animals and humans, representing zoonosis. The objective of this work was carry out an updated review on dermatophytes general characteristics, the clinical aspects of each infected animal species and their zoonotic potential. For this, all the published information available in PudMed database was compiled. This review describes the worldwide distribution of disease caused by dermatophytes, the zoonotic behavior of the disease, the physiopathogenic characteristics, linked to the host's immune response and oxidative stress behavior in bovine trichophytosis. On the other hand, the dermatophytes classification, different diagnostic methods, the macro and micro characteristics of the colonies of dermatophytes and their differentiation are exposed. It also addresses the form transmission of the disease and clinical aspects of disease in some animal species, including humans. Concluding that dermatophytes constitute a zoonosis, of great importance at present, therefore, they should be object of epidemiological surveillance considering the term of a single health. On the other hand, it is important to consider the economic losses caused by the infestation in cattle specifically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dermatophytes are group of fungi that cause superficial infections via enzymes that degrade keratin in human skin. Several factors, including climate, gender, age, lifestyle, human migration, cultural habits, and socioeconomic status influence the prevalence of dermatophyte infections. We analyzed the prevalence of dermatophyte isolates in a hospital in Eastern Saudi Arabia from 2000 to 2019. Methods: The data on fungal cultures were obtained from the Laboratory Information System of the Mycology Laboratories at Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, and were used for the analysis. Fungal isolates were examined microscopically for the presence of specialized hyphal structures and conidia. The Vitek® MS microbial identification system (biomerieux) was used if the culture type was not identified microscopically. Results: Among the 10,021 samples analyzed, 3040 (30.33%) were positive for fungi and only 398 (3.97%) were dermatophytes. Microsporum species was the most common dermatophyte accounting for 50.5% (n = 201) followed by trichophyton with 36.9% (n = 147). The most common positive samples were scrapping (251, 63%) and hair (68, 17%). Culture positivity relative to the age groups revealed a cluster of positive dermatophyte species in children < 10 years of age with 215 (54%) of all cases and among 10–19 years of age with 60 (15) of the cases (p < 0.001). Microsporum species were the prevalent dermatophytes in patients < 10 years of age, while Epidermophyton species were the most frequent dermatophyte species in age groups 10–19, 20–29, and 30–39 years. However, Trichophyton species were the most frequent dermatophyte species in individuals 70–79 years. The percentage of Microsporum and Trichophyton species decreased significantly over time (p < 0.001). In addition, there was a significant seasonal variation in relation to Trichophyton species. A comparison between the most frequent species showed that there was no difference in relation to gender, but there was a difference in relation to the specimen type and age group. Conclusion: Dermatophytosis was common among children and adolescent with the most common samples were scrapping and hair. There was a significant reduction in Microsporum and Trichophyton species over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Dermatophytes are fungi parasitizing structures rich in keratin such as skin, hair, and nail, which leads to a dermal inflammatory response with intense itching and cosmetic disfigurement. The climatic condition of eastern India is predominantly hot and humid with severe rainfalls promoting fungal infection. This study was performed to determine the prevalence of dermatophytosis and to isolate and identify the dermatophyte from clinically suspected cases attending tertiary care center. Methodology This study was conducted from April 2018 to March 2019 and a total of 1,200 samples were included. Skin scrapings were collected and examined microscopically using 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) mount. Culture was performed using Sabouraud dextrose agar and dermatophyte test medium. Speciation was done based on macroscopic and microscopic findings using lactophenol cotton blue staining and some special tests like urease test and slide culture. Results Of 1,200 cases, tinea corporis was the most common clinical presentation. Direct KOH positivity was 89.4% and culture positivity was 61.75%. Trichophyton mentagrophyte (77.5%) was the most common dermatophyte isolated followed by Trichophyton rubrum (13.3%). Conclusion Dermatophytic infections are not serious but their propensity to persist leading to chronicity and disfigurement may have personal and social implications.

Background: Incidence and prevalence of dermatophytosis have increased recently. The clinicomycological characteristics of dermatophytosis in the past and present were compared to determine the difference, if any, that can explain the present scenario. Material and Methods: Hospital-based crosssectional study design with retrospective data comparison was done. The clinico-mycological data of 425 patients in 2019 was compared to 124 patients in 2011 with a Chi-square statistic. Result: Significant differences were observed in the following socio-demographic and disease characteristics in the present compared to the past: female gender (57.9% vs.33.9%, P-0.000002), chronicity (29.4% vs. 16.1%, P-0.003), sharing of clothes (35.3% vs. 20.5%, P-0.0014), co-morbidity of atopy (22.6% vs. 6.5%, P-0.00005), prior use of topical antifungals (64.5% vs. 30.7%, P <0.0001), prior use of systemic antifungals (43.1% vs. 13.7%, P <0.0001), prior use of topical steroids (24.7% vs. 12.1%, P-0.0028), and infection in multiple sites (25.2% vs. 11.3%, P-0.001). T.mentagrophytes was the most common isolate in the present compared to the past (73.6% vs. 32.8%, P-0.0035). Other isolates were T.rubrum (13.2%) and M.gypseum(13.2%) in 2019 and T.rubrum (53.1%), M. gypseum(9.4%), T. schoenleinii (1.6%) and E. floccosum (3.1%) in 2011. Conclusion: T. mentagrophytes has emerged as the dominant species. Irrational use of topical and systemic antifungals and steroids has increased considerably. Frequent training of general practitioners regarding appropriate management and educating patients about avoidance of tight-fitting clothing, personal hygiene, and avoidance of over the counter medications, and adherence to treatment schedule can decrease the disease burden to some extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Dermatophytosis is a cutaneous disease caused by filamentous keratinophilic fungi belonging to the genera Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophyton, which present a high prevalence in the general population, being among the most common mycoses affecting about 20% of the world's population. Objective: To carry out the epidemiological survey of cases of dermatophytosis in patients from the Sistema Único de Saúde in a regional Laboratory in the period of 5 years (2009 to 2013). Methods: A retrospective study (January 2009 to December 2013) was carried out with a qualitative and quantitative design, through the registry book of the laboratory, Mycology Sector, where cases of patients with suspected dermatomycosis were analyzed. Results: In a 5-year period, a total of 4467 cases were suspected of having a fungal infection. Of these, 68.74% (3071) cases were of dermatomycosis. In relation to cultures with fungal growth, 12.54% (385 cases) were dermatophyte fungi and 7.97% (245 cases) non-dermatophyte fungi were isolated. Among the species identified, there was a higher prevalence of T. rubrum complex (75%), T. mentagrophytes complex (11.68%) and M. canis (7.01%). Regarding the sites analyzed, nail involvement was the most frequent in 75% of the cases. Study Limitations: This work is representative in the studied region. Conclusions: Dermatomycosis samples are the most frequent among all samples of fungal infections from these patients, with the nail being the most affected area and the fungi T. rubrum complex and T. mentagrophytes complex the most frequent.

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Background: A decreasing trend in tinea cruris caused by Epidermophyton floccosum, an anthropophilic dermatophyte, has been observed., Methods: This retrospective study involved Thai naval cadets aged 18 years or older with suspected groin lesions. Both clinical evaluations and laboratory investigations were conducted., Results: In total, 86 male participants with a median age of 19 years who presented with groin rash were enrolled in the study. Branching septate hyphae from KOH examination were found in 55 patients (64.0 %). Fungal identifications were Epidermophyton floccosum (42 cases; 76.4 %), Trichophyton mentagrophytes complex (3 cases; 5.5 %), and no growth (10 cases; 18.2 %). An E. floccosum outbreak was identified, with a prevalence of 76.4 %. Most lesions exhibited admixed erythema and hyperpigmentation. Approximately two-thirds displayed prominent, easily visible scaling. Scrotal involvement was absent in 95.2 % of lesions, with 87.2 % presenting bilaterally. A gradual symptom onset lasting up to 2 months was observed in 78.9 % of cases. Lesion morphologies included annular (73.8 %), patchy (14.3 %), and polycyclic (9.5 %). Severe itching disrupting daily activities was reported by only 7.1 % of participants. Approximately two-thirds used over-the-counter (OTC) topical medications without consulting a physician. Risk factors related to clothing included sharing clothes (59.5 %), wearing sweaty clothes (100 %), and reusing unwashed clothes (81.0 %)., Conclusions: The E. floccosum tinea cruris outbreak among naval cadets was characterized by a gradual onset and mild symptoms. OTC medication use without physician consultation was prevalent., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest All authors declare that there are no personal or professional conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023 SFMM. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Summary: Background: Dermatophytosis is one of the most frequent superficial mycoses in the world. Main aim: To describe the cases of skin dermatophytosis and its main aetiologic agents in patients referred to a Mycological Reference Laboratory in Medellín, Colombia. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out with records of patients referred between 1994 and 2016 to the Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB), Medellín‐Colombia, because of clinical suspicion of skin dermatophytosis. Results: Of a total of 5628 clinical records of patients with suspicion of skin dermatophytosis analysed, 2780 (49.4%) had a proven or probable dermatophytosis diagnosis, 2774 cultures were performed, and aetiologic agents were isolated in 2576 samples (92.9%). The most frequently isolated aetiologic agents were Trichophyton rubrum (44.3%), followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes complex (33.3%), Epidermophyton floccosum (12.4%), Nannizzia gypseum complex (5.7%, formerly Microsporum gypseum), Microsporum canis (3.5%) and Trichophyton tonsurans (0.8%). The most frequent clinical forms were tinea pedis (72.7%) and tinea corporis (12.7%). In addition, a group of patients (0.9%) developed mixed infections by two dermatophyte agents and another (4.1%) developed infections in more than one anatomical site. Conclusions: The results of the present study are coherent with previous reports where T rubrum and T mentagrophytes complex were the main causative agents of dermatophytosis. However, the increased incidence of N gypsea complex over M canis is worth highlighting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dermatophytes are filamentous fungi that are common cause of cutaneous mycoses. These organisms cause diseases named after the part that is infected of the body rather than the organism. Studying of virulence geges role in infection and gene sequences is vital for distinguishing clinical endemic species. Eight species of dermatophytes belonging to the three genera Trichophyton, Microsporium and Epidermophyton were isolated and diagnosed. The results showed that T. mentagrophytes the highest frequency. A detection about the presence of 12 virulence genes, three MEP genes and three SUB genes for both Trichophyton and Microsporum species. The results have shown of Trichophyton isolates that the highest no. of frequency percentage for MEP2 and SUB3 is 92% (23/25), then SUB1 88% (22/25), while the lowest no. of frequency percentage for SUB2 8% (2/25). The results of Microsporum isolates that the highest no. of frequency percentage for all MEP2 and SUB1 is 90% (9/10), while the lowest no. of frequency percentage for SUB3 is 70% (7/10). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent taxonomical revisions based on multilocus gene sequencing have provided some clarifications to dermatophyte (Arthrodermataceae) family tree. These changes promoted us to investigate the impact of the changed nomenclature of the dermatophyte strains in the BCCM/IHEM fungal collection, which contains strains of all dermatophyte genera except for Ctenomyces. For 688 strains from this collection, both internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) and partial β-tubulin (BT) sequences were aligned and a multilocus phylogenetic tree was constructed. The ITS + BT phylogentic tree was able to distinguish the genera Arthroderma, Lophophyton, Microsporum, Paraphyton, Nannizzia and Trichophyton with high certainty. Epidermophyton, which is widely considered as a well-defined genus with E. floccosum as the only representative, fell within the Nannizzia clade, whereas the phylogenetic analysis, based on the ITS region alone, differentiates Epidermophyton from Nannizzia as a separate genus. Re-identification and reclassification of many strains in the collection have had a profound impact on the composition of the BCCM/IHEM dermatophyte collection. The biggest change is the decline of prevalence of Arthroderma strains; starting with 103 strains, only 22 strains remain in the genus after reassessment. Most Arthroderma strains were reclassified into Trichophyton, with A. benhamiae and A. vanbreuseghemii leaving the genus. The amount of Microsporum strains also dropped significantly with most of these strains being reclassified into the genera Paraphyton and Nannizzia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background  Dermatophytes are fungi parasitizing structures rich in keratin such as skin, hair, and nail, which leads to a dermal inflammatory response with intense itching and cosmetic disfigurement. The climatic condition of eastern India is predominantly hot and humid with severe rainfalls promoting fungal infection. This study was performed to determine the prevalence of dermatophytosis and to isolate and identify the dermatophyte from clinically suspected cases attending tertiary care center. Methodology  This study was conducted from April 2018 to March 2019 and a total of 1,200 samples were included. Skin scrapings were collected and examined microscopically using 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) mount. Culture was performed using Sabouraud dextrose agar and dermatophyte test medium. Speciation was done based on macroscopic and microscopic findings using lactophenol cotton blue staining and some special tests like urease test and slide culture. Results  Of 1,200 cases, tinea corporis was the most common clinical presentation. Direct KOH positivity was 89.4% and culture positivity was 61.75%. Trichophyton mentagrophyte (77.5%) was the most common dermatophyte isolated followed by Trichophyton rubrum (13.3%). Conclusion  Dermatophytic infections are not serious but their propensity to persist leading to chronicity and disfigurement may have personal and social implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to isolate and identify dermatomycosis causing dermatophysis in EL- Beida, Libya. In this study 253 cases of skin infection were collected from the dermatology unit at EL- Thoura hospital in EL- Beida, Libya. These cases clinically diagnosed as superficial mycosis ,130 ( 51.4%) were isolated from males and 123 ( 48.6% ) were females. These cases were classified into 5 groups according to age (1-10, 11-20, 21-31, 31-40 and above 40 year). Our results showed that young ages were more liable to infection than adult. The cases involved in this investigation represented different occupations. The highest incidence was recorded between school children 40.3 %, followed by workers, farmers and others 29.2%, house wives 17.8% while it was 12.6% among children less than 5 years. Concerning the clinical and mycological finding, it was noticed that 74 (63.8%) cases gave positive culture while the remaining cases were negative. Scalp infection was the most common clinical finding, in this study Tinea capitis was the most frequent 42.8% cases, Microsporum canis and Trich ophyton violaceum were the most common fungi isolated. Tinea corporis and Tinea cruris were diagnosed clinically in 68 (26.8%) cases, 24.4% were from Tinea corporis while the fungus isolated were Microsporum canis 41% , Epidermophyton floccosum 14% and Tinea cruris with incidence of 0.8% in which Trichophyton tonsurans was the only fungus isolated . Onychomycosis and Tinea pedis were seen in 3.4% and the most important isolated agents were Epidermophyton floccosum 50%, followed by Microsporum canis and Trichophyton rubrum 25% for each. This study demonstrates that the prevalence of dermatophytoses in EL- Beida cit, was high (47%), and was more common in males than females. The present study has also indicated that tinea capitis was the dominant (43%).

Background: Epidermophyton floccosum (E. floccosum), an anthropophilic dermatophyte, is the primary causative agent of skin conditions such as tinea cruris, tinea pedis and tinea corporis., Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and characteristics of E. floccosum-induced dermatophytosis, with particular emphasis on the types of infections and demographic profiles., Methods: In this retrospective study, patient records from the dermatology outpatient clinic were scrutinized, covering the timeframe from January 2009 to December 2020. Eligibility for the study required a dermatophytosis diagnosis verified by microscopic examination and fungal culture., Results: Of the 4669 confirmed dermatophytosis cases, 82 (1.8%) were attributable to E. floccosum infection. The proportions of male and female patients with E. floccosum infections were 50.0% each. The most common presentation was tinea pedis (39.0%), followed by tinea cruris (37.8%) and tinea corporis (26.8%). The mean age at disease onset for tinea cruris was 38.7 ± 18.7 years, which was lower than that for tinea pedis (50.6 ± 14.2 years) and tinea corporis (53.5 ± 16.4 years). However, these age differences were not statistically significant. A continuous decrease in E. floccosum isolation was observed over the study period., Conclusions: There was a steady decline in the prevalence of E. floccosum dermatophytosis over the 12-year study period. Despite the decreasing trend, tinea cruris, tinea corporis and tinea pedis remained the predominant clinical manifestations of E. floccosum infection., (© 2024 The Authors. Mycoses published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Summary: Background: Emergence of highly inflammatory genital dermatophyte infections has been reported from Southeast Asia. In view of this, knowledge of the non‐outbreak fungal flora of the genitals is required as a baseline study. Objectives: We present our 12‐year experience in a tertiary clinic with the diagnosis of scrotal fungal infections. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of patients with a diagnosis of scrotal fungal infections proven by direct microscopy and culture. Clinical, mycological and treatment data were collected. Results: In total, 35 male patients were identified, of which 27 concerned dermatophyte infections and eight were yeasts. Nannizzia gypsea was the most common agent (48.6%), presenting as thick pseudomembraneous lesions limited to the scrotum. Trichophyton rubrum (22.9%) and Epidermophyton floccosum (5.7%) mainly presented erythematous, dry and scaly lesions and involving more sites besides the scrotum. Candida albicans (n = 3), C. glabrata (n = 2), C. guilliermondii (n = 1) and Trichosporon asteroides (n = 1), presented various lesions. Sports, sweating and concurrent tineas are hypothesised as predisposing factors. Conclusions: The prevalent causative agent of scrotum infections is N. gypsea, but wide species diversity is observed. All infections show mild skin inflammation. It is suggested that this genital fungal flora represents the current situation prior to clonal dermatophyte outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dermatophytes are the most common pathogenic agents of superficial mycoses in humans and animals. Knowledge of their epidemiology can facilitate the prevention of dermatophytosis and improve prophylactic measures. We sought to determine the incidence of the different dermatophyte species diagnosed in Lausanne (Switzerland) from 2001 to 2018. In total, 10,958 dermatophytes were isolated from patients and 459 from pets. Overall, 99% of tinea unguium and tinea pedis were caused by Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton interdigitale with a prevalence ratio of 3:1. Trichophyton violaceum and Trichophyton soudanense were mainly found in tinea capitis in patients of African and Mediterranean origin. Interestingly, while Epidermophyton floccosum and Trichophyton verrucosum were prevalent 50 years ago in an epidemiological analysis carried out in the same laboratory from 1967 to 1970, these two species were rarely detected from 2001 to 2018. Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton benhamiae and Microsporum canis were the prevalent zoophilic pathogenic species in children and young adults. Our investigation of animal samples revealed the main reservoirs of these zoophilic species to be cats and dogs for T. mentagrophytes and M. canis, and Guinea pigs for T. benhamiae. This study provides an epidemiological overview of dermatophytoses in Switzerland to improve their surveillance.

Pathogenic dermatophytes are prevalent causes of a superficial cutaneous infection, which have the ability to invade keratinized structures such as skin, hairs and nails. Dermatophytes infection in the host involves 3 main steps: adherence to the host tissue, invading, and the development of a host response. In the first stage of infection, dermatophytes adhere to the surface of the keratinized tissue to reach the epidermis by using some factors that mediate adherence of dermatophytes. Various virulence factors are secreted from dermatophytes during the invading process in order to penetrate the host tissue, to obtain nutrients and survive. Antigens or metabolites from dermatophytes induce host cells to respond to pathogens by activating intracellular signaling pathways that induce the immune response against dermatophytes. Virulence factors involved in pathogenicity of dermatophytes are briefly described in this review that contribute to a better understanding of the function of virulence factors in the dermatophytes process.

Background and Purpose: Dermatophytosis is one of the most common infections of skin, hair, and nails, caused by a group of keratinophilic fungi known as dermatophytes. Species identification of these fungi is of great significance from epidemiological and therapeutic points of view. The objective of the present study was to investigate dermatophytosis and its causative agents in patients, referring to the Central Mycology Laboratory of Yazd University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. Materials and Methods: In total, 139 clinically suspected cases of dermatophytosis were examined during 12 months from February 2014 to February 2015. Skin scrapings were assessed through direct microscopic examinations and culture studies. Dermatophyte isolates were identified based on colony morphology on potato dextrose agar and dermatophyte test medium, nutritional requirements, urease and hair perforation tests, and microscopic characteristics on slide cultures. Results: Dermatophytosis was mycologically confirmed in 26 (18.70%) out of 139 cases. Although there was a statistically insignificant difference between male and female subjects, men were dominantly affected. Infection was significantly common in the age group of ≤ 29 years (P

Background: Epidermophyton floccosum is an anthrophophilic dermatophyte widely distributed in the tropics and subtropics. It can invade keratinized tissues of humans and cause superficial mycoses called dermatophytosis (ringworm)., Objective: The main objective of this study was to develop an in-house indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and to evaluate its performance for the immunological diagnosis of E. floccosum infection in humans., Methods: An in-house indirect ELISA was developed using partially purified E. floccosum antigens, pre immunized rabbit serum as negative control, immunized rabbit polyclonal antibodies as positive control, enzyme labeled goat anti rabbit antibodies and goat anti human antibodies. A total of 50 serum samples from E. floccosum infected patients as confirmed by direct microscopy and culture and 30 samples from humans without history of dermatophyte infection that served as controls were used to evaluate the performance of an in-house indirect ELISA developed in this study. Analytical and diagnostic performance characteristics were determined to evaluate its diagnostic value., Results: The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of E. floccosum indirect ELISA were 90.00 %, 83.33 %, 90.83 %, 83.83 % respectively. The performance of indirect ELISA assay was compared with gold standard diagnostic tests such as KOH hydrolysis test and fungal culture. The correlation coefficients of E. floccosum indirect ELISA with KOH hydrolysis and fungal culture method were 0.612 ** and 0.826 ** (P < 0.01) respectively indicating significant correlation between these tests., Conclusion: This revealed the great potentiality of E. floccosum indirect ELISA in early, specific and precise detection of E. floccosum infection in humans., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

With regard to increasing number of antifungal-resistant dermatophytes, antifungal susceptibility testing of dermatophytes serves as a useful tool in managing clinical dermatophytosis. This study aimed to determine antifungal susceptibility profile of clinically important dermatophytes and determination of point mutations in terbinafine-resistant isolates. Based on our results, dermatophytosis was confirmed in 97 cases by direct microscopic examination, culture, and sequencing of ITS region. Antifungal susceptibility of 97 dermatophyte isolates distributed in four species including Trichophyton interdigitale (26 isolates), T. rubrum (19 isolates), T. tonsurans (29 isolates), and Epidermophyton floccosum (21 isolates) was assessed to nine antifungal agents using CLSI M38-A2 guidelines. Minimum inhibitory concentration range (MIC range) for luliconazole and terbinafine was 0.001-0.008 μg/ml and 0.003-> 32 μg/ml, compared to 0.03-64 μg/ml for griseofulvin, 0.01-16 μg/ml for itraconazole and voriconazole, 0.03-8 μg/ml for ketoconazole, 0.03-32 μg/ml for econazole, 0.03-1 μg/ml for lanoconazole, and 0.01-4 μg/ml for butenafine. Trichophyton tonsurans was the most susceptible (MIC = 0.006 μg/ml) and E. floccosum was the most resistant (MIC = 0.02 μg/ml) species to terbinafine. Terbinafine resistance was reported for two species, i.e., T. rubrum and T. tonsurans at the total rate of 2% which was due to Leu393Phe substitution in both species. Taken together, our results assist clinicians and prompt the current knowledge about the necessity of antifungal susceptibility testing to select effective strategies for management of clinical cases of dermatophytosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Treatment of dermatophytoses with currently available antimycotic agents is often tedious and sometimes unsatisfactory. A search for better therapeutic methods--ideally with an immediate fungicidal effect--has, among others, lead to photodynamic procedures as a promising alternative, and recently curcumin was found to be a suitable agent for this application. In this study the effect of photodynamic treatment with curcumin on dermatophytes was tested in vitro. Wells of microtiter plates were filled with conidia of Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton interdigitale, Trichophyton terrestre, Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum and Epidermophyton floccosum in buffer. Then curcumin was added to the conidia and after 20 min the assays were irradiated one time only with visible light (peak wave length 367 nm, 5 J/cm²). Thereafter the wells were filled up with Sabouraud's glucose broth and in the following fungal growth was measured photometrically. The results showed that all dermatophytes were markedly inhibited depending on the concentration of curcumin. With 5.4 mg/l curcumin plus irradiation fungal growth was significantly suppressed over a period of 96 h (P < .001). Even after 96 h inhibition of T. rubrum was still complete and marked for all other species as well. M. gypseum was least susceptible. Our results are very encouraging to pursue the development of a photodynamic therapy of tinea with curcumin. The outstanding tolerance of curcumin and the innocuousness of the required light are favorable preconditions for this task. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction:Dermatophytosis is generally defined as an infection of the hair, nails, or glabrous skin. These infections are caused by the keratinophilic fungiTrichophytonspp.,Microsporumspp., andEpidermophyton, which have been recovered from both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. Although dermatophytosis is generally not a life-threatening condition, these types of infections are among the most common infections worldwide, and their incidence has continued to increase consistently in recent years. Area covered:This article provides an overview of the general characteristics of dermatophytes, including their taxonomy and epidemiology, as well as the different clinical forms and laboratory diagnostics of dermatophytosis. We further classify the topical and systemic antifungal compounds currently used to treat dermatophyte infections. Expert commentary:Antifungal therapy is a central component of patient management for dermatophytosis, and depending on the strategy chosen, topical and/or systemic drugs can be used. However, for effective treatment, it is important to correctly determine the causal agents at the species level, which will enable administration of suitable therapeutics and initiation of appropriate management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Due to increase in the number of patients with impaired immunity, incidence of dermatophytoses has increased considerably. Antidermatophytic agents with anti-inflammatory and protease-inhibiting activities will help in restricting inflammatory response associated with dermatophytoses. Aims: The present study aims to evaluate antidermatophytic and protease-inhibiting activities of zerumbone. Cytotoxicity was tested using Chang liver cell line as a preliminary step in toxicity study. Methods and Materials: Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of zerumbone purified from the rhizome of Zingiber zerumbet were determined against Epidermophyton floccosum var. nigricans, Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum, and Trichophyton rubrum. MIC was determined according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) method M38-A2. Protease-inhibiting property was tested using trypsin as the enzyme. In vitro cytotoxic effect was studied using the MTT assay. Results: MIC of zerumbone was 8 mg/L against E. floccosum and M. canis and 16 mg/L for M. gypseum and T. rubrum. MFC of zerumbone was 64 mg/L against E. floccosum and M. canis and 128 mg/L for M. gypseum and T. rubrum. Zerumbone exhibited remarkable protease-inhibiting activity. In the MTT assay, IC50 values were 150 and 0.31 μg, respectively, for zerumbone and reference drug. Statistical Analysis Used: For protease inhibition, assay and cytotoxicity assay control and tests were done in triplicate and the results are expressed as mean ± SD, where n = 3. Conclusions: Zerumbone is a novel candidate for use in dermatophytoses therapy because of the combined antifungal, anti-inflammatory (unpublished results), and protease-inhibiting properties. Cytotoxicity of zerumbone was found to be very low compared with the reference drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Introduction: Dermatophytosis is defined as the fungal infection of the skin, hair and nails by a group of keratinophillic fungi known as dermatophytes. Aims and Objectives: This study is an attempt to find out various species of dermatophytes in clinically suspected cases of dermatophytosis. Materials and Methods: One hundred samples were subjected to direct microscopy by potassium hydroxide wet mount (KOH) and isolation on culture with Sabourauds dextrose agar. Results: Out of these 80 (80%) samples were KOH positive while 20 (20%) were KOH negative. Overall culture positivity rate was 68%. Dermatophytosis was more common in males, the M:F ratio was 4:1. Conclusion: Total seven species were isolated on culture. Trichophyton rubrum (66.17%) was the commonest isolate followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes (19.11%), Trichophyton violaceum (7.35%), Trichophyton tonsurans (2.94%) and one isolate each of Epidermophyton floccosum and Microsporum gypseum (1.47%).