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Dermatophyte
A fungus that causes superficial infection of the skin, hair &/or nails (keratinized tissue).
Dermatophytosis causes Tinea infections.
Classification:
Includes species of:
1) Epidermophyton
2) Microsporum
3) Trichophyton
NOT considered dermatophytes are causative agents of:
1) Tinea versicolor
2) Tinea nigra
3) cutaneous candidiasis
Epidemiology:
1) may have origin in the soil (geophilic)
2) may have other animal hosts (zoophilic)
3) may be exclusive pathogens of humans (anthrophilic)
Pathology:
1) organisms are capable of infecting non-viable keratinized cutaneous tissues
a) stratum corneum
b) nails
c) hair
2) dermatophytes secrete keratinases
Laboratory:
- Dermatophytes chitin synthase 1 gene in nail
Related
dermatophytosis
stratum corneum (keratin {horny} layer)
Tinea
Specific
Epidermophyton
Microsporum
Trichophyton
General
fungi
Properties
KINGDOM: plant
DIVISION: EUMYCOPHYTA
References
- Stedman's Medical Dictionary 26th ed, Williams &
Wilkins, Baltimore, 1995
- Color Atlas & Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology, Common
& Serious Diseases, 3rd ed, Fitzpatrick et al, McGraw Hill, NY,
1997, pg 688-691
- Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 19
Board Basics. An Enhancement to MKSAP19.
American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 2022