Dermatophytes

Fungi that attack the skin and/or appendages of humans and are characterised by the ability to form keratinases, which enable them to degrade keratin. Dermatophytes penetrate the keratin of epidermis or nails via micro lesions.

Dermatophytes and their disease symptoms include (often isolated dermatophytes are listed here according to their frequency):

• Trichophyton:
  • Trichophyton benhamiae (Trichophyton species of Arthroderma benhamiae; Tinea corporis)
  • T. rubrum ( Tinea unguium, Tinea pedum, Tinea corporis)
  • T. mentagrophytes ( Tinea manuum, Tinea pedum)
  • T. tonsurans ( Tinea gladiatorum, Tinea capitis)
  • T. verrucosum ( tinea capitis)
  • T. violaceum ( tinea capitis)
  • T. soudanense ( tinea capitis)
  • T. concentricum ( Tinea imbricata)
  • T. quinckeanum ( Tinea corporis)
  • T. schönleinii ( Favus)
  • T. similii.
• epidermophyton:
  • E. floccosum ( Tinea intertriginosa, Tinea inguinalis)
• microsporum:
  • M. canis ( microspore, tinea capitis)
  • M. audouinii ( microspore)
  • M. gypseum ("gardener's" microspore)
  • M. cookei
  • M. gallinae
  • M. persicolor
  • M. racemosum.

For differentiation and knowledge of other fungal diseases of the skin see below. DHS-System and Tinea. Fungal detection is possible microscopically in native material and culturally in specialized media. In case of doubt, molecular biological differentiation via sequencing of ribosomal DNA is also possible in special laboratories. Diagnostics are decisive for the choice of antifungal agent, as well as the type, dose and duration of administration.

1. Salfelder K et al (2000) Fungal infections in humans. Omnimed Publishing House Hamburg, Zurich
2. Effendy I (2010) Dermatophytosis. In: Plettenberg A, Meigel W, Schöfer H (Eds.) Infectious diseases of the skin. Thieme publishing house Stuttgart, S186-187