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News: A recent study highlighted rising concerns over fungal infections and the growing ability of some fungal pathogens to resist antifungal drugs.
About Dermatophytosis
- Dermatophytosis refers to infections of the skin, hair and nails caused by dermatophytes.
- Causative Agent: Dermatophytes are fungi that grow by using keratin present in the skin, hair and nails.
- Mechanism: These fungi colonise keratin-containing tissues and produce lesions on the affected body surfaces.
- Transmission:
- Direct transmission: Some dermatophytes spread from one person to another.
- Animal and soil transmission: Some species reach humans from animal hosts or soil.
- Indirect transmission: Infection can also occur through contaminated objects such as upholstery, hairbrushes and hats.
- Key Features:
- Highly contagious: Dermatophyte infections can spread easily between individuals.
- Affected tissues: They can infect the skin, hair and nails, causing different types of disease.
- Environmental factors: Tropical climates and overcrowding increase the prevalence of these infections.
- Lifestyle factors: Occlusive footwear, community showers and sports participation are linked with higher prevalence of some infections.
- Antifungal Resistance: Fungi can resist antifungal medicines through genetic mutations and additional copies of protective genes.
- Treatment: Antifungal drugs such as azoles, polyenes and echinocandins are used, while susceptibility testing helps determine their effectiveness.
