Terbinafine resistance in dermatophytes: Time to revisit alternate antifungal therapy.

Resistant superficial dermatophytic infections of the skin and its appendages have emerged as a major health problem in India. Mutations in Squalene epoxidase gene have led to increasing incidence of resistance to terbinafine in dermatophytic isolates. We examined six patients with recalcitrant dermatophytosis attending Dermatology OPD at a tertiary care hospital and demonstrated terbinafine resistance by molecular method. Immediate hyperitivity (IH) reaction to Trichophytin antigen was highlighted in these patients. The patients were treated with alternate antifungals after demonstration of resistance to terbinafine based on the antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST). On follow up the patients responded well to the substitute but the duration of therapy had to be prolonged beyond six weeks.

Dermatomicosis superficiales: cuando el diagnóstico lo entrega la histología / Superficial dermatomycosis: when the diagnosis is provided by histology

Superficial dermatomycosis are prevalent pathologies in the medical field and their diagnosis is fundamentally clinical. Histopathology is not considered part of his study, however, the diagnosis is exceptionally obtained by biopsy, when dermatomycosis was not suspected. Unpublished retrospective work is carried out on patients who had the histopathological diagnosis of superficial dermatomycosis between the years 2000-2019 at the HCUCH, based on selection criteria, obtaining 19 patients, in which the following were analyzed: age, gender, clinical characteristics, location, presumptive diagnosis and mycological and histological examinations. He stressed, as was our hypothesis, that dermatomycosis was not clinically suspected, since the presumptive diagnoses were various dermatoses. The most suspected dermatosis was psoriasis, as a result that 57.8% of the dermatoses studied had erythematous scaly plaques on examination. Another relevant fact is that only 21% of the cases underwent a direct mycological prior to the biopsy, which was negative ('' false negative''). It is concluded, then, that superficial dermatomycosis should be considered clinical simulators of other dermatoses, so clinical suspicion and support of mycological examination and fungal culture is essential. (AU)

In vitro activities of antifungal drugs against a large collection of Trichophyton tonsurans isolated from wrestlers.

BACKGROUND: Trichophyton tonsurans is the most common agent causing tinea gladiatorum in wrestlers, and limited data on susceptibility profiles of Trichophyton tonsurans are available. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess the in vitro activity of the common antifungal drug against a large collection of T tonsurans. MATERIALS/METHODS: The in vitro activities to eight common antifungal drugs (sertaconazole, itraconazole, clotrimazole, fluconazole, butenafine, tolnaftate, terbinafine and griseofulvin) against 128 clinical isolates of T tonsurans strains, obtained from wrestlers with dermatophytosis, were performed according to CLSI M38-A2 broth microdilution document. RESULTS: The geometric mean minimum inhibitory concentration was the lowest for tolnaftate (0.022 µg/mL), followed by itraconazole (0.026 µg/mL), terbinafine (0.033 µg/mL), butenafine (0.088 µg/mL), griseofulvin (0.566 µg/mL), sertaconazole (2.875 µg/mL), clotrimazole (3.419 µg/mL) and fluconazole (12.540 µg/mL). CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of antifungal susceptibility of dermatophytes showed that tolnaftate and itraconazole were the most effective drugs against T tonsurans and fluconazole had the least effect.

Cutaneous Cryptococcosis

Cutaneous cryptococcosis is classified either as primary or secondary based on the route of infection. The disease can also be classified either as localized cutaneous cryptococcosis or cutaneous manifestations of disseminated cryptococcosis. However, from a physician's point of view, whether lesions are localized to the skin or are disseminated/systemic is more important than the route of infection. The Clinical Practice Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cryptococcosis, which was established in 2019 by the Japanese Society for Medical Mycology, adopted the latter classification. Localized cutaneous cryptococcosis is defined as a condition in which lesions are confined within a limited part of the skin, not systemically disseminated at the same time, and are associated with neither cryptococcal fungemia nor antigenemia. This type of cutaneous cryptococcosis is uncommon in Japan. Only 65 cases were reported during the 50-year study period from 1968 to August 2018, with the patients divided into two groups: immunocompromised patients (n=44, 68%) and immunocompetent patients (n=21, 32%). None of the patients were infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Localized cutaneous cryptococcosis can also occur in non-HIV-infected patients and well-appearing individuals, therefore, it is considered an important infection in routine dermatology practice. Here, we outline the classification, diagnosis, and treatment of cutaneous cryptococcosis and present a summary of cutaneous cryptococcosis cases reported in Japan.

In Vitro additive effect on griseofulvin and terbinafine combinations against multidrug-resistant dermatophytes

ABSTRACT Griseofulvin (GF) and terbinafine (TF) are commonly used drugs to treat dermatophytosis, a fungal infection of the skin. Today there is an increase in drug resistance to these antifungals which highlight the need for alternative synergistic therapies. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of GF and TF were determined against fungi clinical isolates from local hospitals with values ranging 0.03-2.0 µg mL-1 and 0.24-4.0 µg mL-1, respectively. A checkboard test was used to determine the combination of GF:TF which could induce an additive effect against the fungi isolates Multidrug-resistant isolates showed susceptibility after treatment with 16:2 µg mL-1 GF:TF. An MTT assay further verified that GF and TF combinations have greater additive effect against pathological and multidrug-resistant isolates than antifungals alone. Herein we disclose GF:TF combinations that could constitute as a possible new anti-dermatophyte therapy.

[2011 Epidemiological Survey of Dermatomycoses in Japan].

An epidemiological survey of dermatomycoses and their causative fungus flora in Japan for 2011 was conducted in accordance with methods and criteria of the past four surveys. The survey covered a total number of 36,052 outpatients who visited 12 dermatological clinics throughout Japan. The results were as follows. 1）Dermatophytosis was the most prevalent cutaneous fungal infection (2,980 cases) seen in these clinics, followed by candidiasis (378 cases) and then Malassezia infections (152 cases). 2）Among dermatophytoses, tinea pedis was the most frequent (1,930 cases : male, 980 ; female, 950), then in decreasing order, tinea unguium (780 cases : male, 409 ; female, 371), tinea corporis (203 cases : male, 132 ; female, 71), tinea cruris (112 cases : male, 86 ; female, 26), tinea manuum (43 cases : male, 25 ; female, 18), and tinea capitis including kerion (16 cases : male, 13 ; female, 3). 3）Tinea pedis and tinea unguium were seen to increase in the summer season and occur mostly among the aged population. Compared to the last survey, by clinical form, there was a marked decrease in dermatophytosis patients. 4）As the causative dermatophyte species, Trichophyton rubrum was the most frequently isolated at about 80 % among all dermatophyte infections excluding tinea capitis. T. mentagrophytes was about 10 %. Microsporum canis was isolated in five cases. M. gypseum was isolated in three cases, and Epidermophyton floccosum was isolated in only one case. T. tonsurans was isolated in 13 cases. 5）Cutaneous candidiasis was seen in 378 cases (305, male ; 537, female). Intertrigo (298 cases) was the most frequent clinical form, followed by diaporcandidiasis (79 cases), erosion interdigitalis (62 cases), genital candidiasis (46 cases). 6）Tinea versicolor was seen in 97 cases. Malassezia folliculitis was isolated in 55 cases.

Fungal skin infections in children.

Fungal skin infections have increased in prevalence over the past 30 years. The pathogenic fungi that cause these infections can be classified into dermatophytes and yeasts. Dermatophytes cause infections of keratinised tissue, such as hair, skin and nails. Yeasts can cause superficial infections or more deep-seated infections in people who are immunocompromised. Fungal skin infections are a common problem in children and can be uncomfortable and upsetting. However, the availability of effective treatment options has also increased.

Dermatomicosis en trabajadores (as) de la industria avícola, según condiciones laborales, Tegucigalpa, Honduras, mayo 2004 / Dermatomycosis in workers of the poultry industry in Tegucigalpa Honduras

La dermatofitosis es una infección usualmente contagiosa superficial de la epidermis queratinizada y de anexos queratinizados (pelos y uñas) producida por un grupo de hongos llamados dermatofitos. Son conocidas también con el nombre de tiñas o tineas. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia de dermatofitosis en trabajadores (as) de la industria avícola, según condiciones laborales en Tegucigalpa, Honduras, durante el periodo de tiempo de mayo a julio de 2004. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio epidemiológico descriptivo de corte transversal. El universo fue de 194 trabajadores (as) de una empresa de la industria avícola que asistieron de manera espontánea a consulta médica en las clínicas de la empresa en los meses de mayo a julio 2004, los cuales participaron de manera voluntaria en el estudio. Se tomaron 52 muestras de pacientes que cumplían con los criterios de inclusión. A cada trabajador(a) se le realizó una historia clínica epide-miológica. La obtención de muestras ungueales fue mediante la técnica de raspado, se realizó un examen directo de KOH al 10% y se cultivaron las muestras positivas. Los resultados de las muestras positivas fueron los siguientes dermatofitos: Trichophytonrubrum; Cándida sp; Cándida albicas; Aspergillus Niger y T. metagrofites y E. flocosumen este orden de frecuencia. La Prevalencia de...(AU)

[Dermatophytosis: a summary of dermatomycosis as a proposal for future revision of the guidelines].

In preparing guidelines for dermatomycosis (tinea, trichophytia, dermatophytosis), we have primarily summarized the disease types and treatments as described in 4 textbooks used in Japan and abroad. We present our classification draft based on these following descriptions. In Japan, any dermatophytosis other than favus or tinea imbricata is considered to be tinea, while outside Japan, favus and tinea imbricata are also classified as tinea. Tinea capitis is classified together with trichophytia superficialis capillitii and kerion celsi, in a group that tends to include asymptomatic carriers. Most textbooks generally classify trichophytia profunda of the glabrous skin and granuloma trichophyticum as subtypes of tinea corporis. Tinea faciei can easily be misdiagnosed, but in many cases can be distinguished from tinea corporis by its specific clinical picture. Tinea unguium is regarded as one type of onychomycosis. We present a summary of dermatomycosis treatment as a proposal for future revision of the guidelines. One of the problems in the treatment of tinea capitis is that the safety of itraconazole (ITZ) and terbinafine hydrochloride (TBF) in children has not been established. Severity criteria for concomitant use of oral medications in the treatment of tinea pedis remains to should be established. Although many clinical studies concerning tinea unguium have been published, 3 of the 4 textbooks we consulted clearly stated that most of those studies were conducted by pharmaceutical companies. Further studies on the etiology and disease severity of tinea unguium are needed.

[Dermatomycosis--classification, etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment].

Dermatomycoses are common diseases in dermatological clinics. An epidemiological survey in Japan revealed that dermatophytosis was the most prevalent cutaneous fungal infection (89.1%), followed by candidiasis (8.4%) and the Malassezia infections(2.4%). Among dermatophytoses, tinea pedis was the most frequent, then in decreasing order, tinea unguium, tinea corporis, tinea cruris, tinea manuum, and tinea capitis including kerion. Among all dermatophyte infections, Trichophyton rubrum was the most frequently isolated. Among cutaneous candidiasis, intertrigo was the most frequent clinical form, followed by erosio interdigitalis and diaper candidiasis. Dermatomycoses may provoke several inflammatory reactions, but the organisms causing them are located in the keratin layer of the epidermis. Therefore, topical application is the first line therapy for the most dermatomycoses.

Dermatofitosis podal en pacientes diabéticos tipo 1 y 2 / Podal dermatophytosis in diabetic patients tipe 1 and 2

La diabetes mellitus (DM) es un síndrome metabólico caracterizado por hiperglicemia. Los pacientes diabéticos presentan una mayor predisposición a las infecciones fúngicas superficiales y los agentes involucrados con mayor frecuencia corresponden a Candida spp. y dermatofitos (Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, entre otros). En la presente investigación se determinó la frecuencia de dermatofitos en los pies de pacientes diabéticos tipo 1 y 2 relacionándolos con los factores epidemiológicos asociados. Entre Marzo y Junio 2006 , se examinaron los pies a 164 pacientes (75 mujeres y 89 hombres ) entre 29 y 84 años, que acudieron a la Asociación de Diabéticos de Chile (ADICH) para su control de rutina. Se recolectaron 202 muestras clínicas (30 interortejos, 17 plantar y 155 uñas pies), que se cultivaron en Agar Sabouraud Glucosado y Lactritmel a 25° y 37°C por un período de 21 días. La mayoría de los pacientes eran DM Tipo 2 (79 por ciento). En 50 /164 pacientes se obtuvo cultivo positivo, de 202 muestras clínicas analizadas se aisló dermatofitos en un 27.7 por ciento. T. rubrum fue el dermatofito con mayor aislamiento en pacientes DM 1 y 2 con cifras cercanas al 80 por ciento, mientras T. mentagrophytes fue aparentemente superior en DM 2. T. rubrum obtuvo las mayores frecuencias en todos los tipos de muestras (DM 1 y DM 2), mientras, T. mentagrophytes también se presentó en todos los tipos de muestras de DM 2 y solo en uñas en pacientes DM 1. Los hallazgos micológicos en los pies de pacientes diabéticos son similares a lo reportado en la literatura.

The mellitus diabetes (DM) is a metabolic syndrome which is characterized by hyperglykemia. Diabetic patients are very much liable to suffer from superficial fungal infections and involved agents occurring more frequently are the following: Candida spp and dermatophytes (Trichophyton rubrum, T.mentagrophytes, among others). It was concluded in the present research work the frequency of dermatophytes in the feet of type 1 and 2 diabetic patients, by relating them with the associated epidemiological factors. Within march and June 2006, feet of 29 to 84-aged 164 patients (75 female and 89 male) who attended the Asociación de Diabéticos de Chile (ADICH) to get their routine control, were examined. Two hundred and two clinical samples were collected (30 interortejos, 17 plantar and 155 toe nails) which were cultured in Sabouraud Glucose Agar and Lactrimel at 25º and 37ºC for a 21-day period. Most patients wereType 2 DM (79 percent). In 50/164 patients culture resulted to be positive, out of 202 clinical samples analyzed, dermatophytes were 27,7 percent isolated. T.rubrum turned to be the dermatophyte with the highest isolation in DM 1 and 2 patients, yielding numbers as high as 80 percent, whereas T.mentagrophytes was apparently 27,7 percent greater in DM 2 patients. T.rubrum reached the highest frequencies in all kinds of samples (DM 1 and DM 2), while T.mentagrophytes was also present in all the DM 2 samples and only in the nails of DM 1 patients. Mycological findings in the feet of diabetic patients are similar to those cited in literature.

A 7-year survey of dermatophytoses in Crete, Greece.

Dermatophytoses are of worldwide distribution. Epidemiological studies concerning dermatophyte infections have been performed in many countries and differences in the incidence and the aetiological agents have been reported in different geographical locations. This study was undertaken to investigate the prevailing species of dermatophytes in the island of Crete, Greece, and their pattern of infection during a 7-year period (1997-2003). A total of 5544 samples obtained from 3751 patients with clinically suspected dermatomycoses were examined mycologically in the laboratory of Clinical Microbiology at the University Hospital of Crete, Greece. Skin, hair and nail specimens were subjected to direct microscopy and culture. Dermatophytes were isolated from 520 patients (13.9%). Trichophyton rubrum was the most frequently isolated dermatophyte accounting for 48% of the infections, followed by Microsporum canis (17.9%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. interdigitale (14.2%) and Epidermophyton floccosum (6%). Tinea unguium, tinea pedis, tinea corporis, tinea capitis, tinea cruris, tinea manuum and tinea facei were the clinical types of dermatophytoses in decreasing order of frequency. Trichophyton rubrum is the predominant dermatophyte in our area. As the epidemiology of dermatophytoses is changing over time it is important to review periodically the incidence of dermatophytes and their distribution.

[Epidemiology, etiology and clinical presentation of dermatophytosis in Pernambuco, 1995-2005]. / Epidemiologia, etiologia e formas clínicas das dermatofitoses em Pernambuco, 1995-2005.

Out of a total of 1,238 cases of dermatophytosis in the city of Recife (Pernambuco), lesions of the scalp (33.7%) and Trichophyton tonsurans (25.5%) predominated between 1995 and 2000, while lesions of the hairless skin (35.5%) and Trichophyton rubrum (34%) were the most frequent between 2000 and 2005. A significant reduction in Trichophyton mentagrophytes was detected in the second of these periods.

Epidemiologia, etiologia e formas clínicas das dermatofitoses em Pernambuco, 1995-2005 / Epidemiology, etiology and clinical presentation of dermatophytosis in Pernambuco, 1995-2005

Num total de 1.238 casos de dermatofitoses, ocorridas na Cidade de Recife /PE, observou-se predomínio das tinhas de couro cabeludo (33,7 por cento) e Trichophyton tonsurans (25,5 por cento), entre 1995 e 1999, enquanto as tinhas de pele glabra (35,5 por cento) e Trichophyton rubrum (34 por cento) foram mais freqüentes entre 2000 e 2005. Detectou-se importante redução do Trichophyton mentagrophytes, no último período.

Out of a total of 1,238 cases of dermatophytosis in the city of Recife (Pernambuco), lesions of the scalp (33.7 percent) and Trichophyton tonsurans (25.5 percent) predominated between 1995 and 2000, while lesions of the hairless skin (35.5 percent) and Trichophyton rubrum (34 percent) were the most frequent between 2000 and 2005. A significant reduction in Trichophyton mentagrophytes was detected in the second of these periods.

[An epidemiological survey of dermatomycoses in Japan, 2002].

An epidemiological survey of dermatomycoses and the causative fungus flora of dermatophytoses in Japan for 2002 was made on a total number of 72,660 outpatients who visited 14 dermatological clinics throughout Japan. The results were as follows: 1) Dermatophytosis was the most prevalent cutaneous fungal infection (7,994 cases) seen in these clinics, followed by candidiasis (755 cases) and then Malassezia infections (220 cases). 2) Among dermatophytoses, tinea pedis was the most frequent (4,813 cases: male 2,439, female 2,374), then in decreasing order, tinea unguium (2,123 cases: male 1,093, female 1,030), tinea corporis (497 cases: male 281, female 216), tinea cruris (299 cases: male 249, female 50), tinea manuum (248 cases: male 144, female 104) and tinea capitis including kerion (14 cases, male 6, female 8). 3) Tinea pedis and tinea unguium are seen to increase in summer season, among the aged population and among males in each clinic. When compared to the previous surveys (1992 and 1997) by clinical form, t. unguium patients increased from 1.9% of total outpatients in 1992, to 2.0% in 1997, then to 2.9% in 2002. 4) As the causative dermatophyte species, Trichophyton rubrum was the most frequently isolated among all dermatophyte infections except tinea capitis. 5) T. rubrum was isolated from 63.3%(1,431/2,262) of tinea pedis lesions, followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes (36.6%, 829/2,262), and also 88.8% (325/366) of t. corporis, 95.4% (185/194) of t. cruris and 85.6% (462/540) of t. unguium. 6) Cutaneous candidiasis was seen in 755 cases (1.0%) of 72,660 outpatients. Intertrigo (347 cases) was the most frequent clinical form, followed by erosio interdigitalis (103 cases) and diaper candidiasis (102 cases). It has a tendency to affect the aged being complicated with topical predisposing factors. 7) Cutaneous Malassezia infections and other superficial fungal infections are seen in 220 cases, without any characteristic features by gender or clinical form.

Micosis superficiales: definición y clasificación / Superficial mycoses: definition and classification

En este trabajo se consideran equivalentes las denominaciones micosis superficiales y dermatomicosis. Éstas engloban, por tanto, todas las infecciones fúngicas de localización cutánea y cutaneomucosa. Las clasificamos según sus agentes etiológicos, y distinguimos 2 grandes apartados, según estén ocasionadas por levaduras o por hongos filamentosos. El primero comprende 2 grupos: las candidiasis, producidas por especies de género Candida, la piedra blanca, por Trichosporon spp., y la pitiriasis versicolor, por levaduras basidiosporadas lipofílicas, singularmente Malassezia globosa. El segundo apartado incluye a su vez 4 subgrupos: las dermatofitosis o tiñas, ocasionadas por hongos queratinofílicos que conocemos como dermatófitos, la piedra negra, por Piedraia hortae, la tinea nigra, por Hortaea werneckii, las infecciones dermatofitosis-like ocasionadas por Scytaldium dimidiatum y, por último, las infecciones, de localización ungueal en su mayor parte originadas por distintos mohos (Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, Onychocola canadensis, Aspergillus spp., Fusarium spp., Alternaria spp., Acremonium spp., Curvularia spp.). Se aborda también la posición taxonómica del Regnum fungi en el marco de los seres vivos, y las características de sus taxones principales; se indica la situación en éstos de los hongos implicados como agentes etiológicos en las micosis superficiales (AU)

In the present study the terms superficial mycoses and dermatomycoses are used as equivalents. These terms include, therefore, all cutaneous and mucocutaneous fungal infections. These are classified according to their etiological agents, distinguishing two main types, according to whether they are produced by yeast or by filamentous fungi. The first type includes 2 groups: candidiasis, produced by species of the Candida genus, white piedra, produced by Trichosporon spp, and tinea versicolor, produced by lipophilic basidiomycetous yeasts, especially Malassezia globosa. The second type includes 4 subgroups: the dermatophytoses or tineas, caused by keratinophilic fungi, known as dermatophytes, black piedra, produced by Piedraia hortae, tinea nigra, produced by Hortaea werneckii, dermatophytosis-like infections produced by Scytaldium dimidiatum and, lastly, infections with mainly ungual localization, caused by distinct molds (Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, Oncychocola canadensis, Aspergillus spp, Fusarium spp, Alternaria spp, Acremonium spp, Curvularia spp…). The taxonomic position of the Regnum fungi within the context of living organisms is also discussed, as well as the characteristics of its main taxa, and the situation of the fungi implicated as etiological agents in superficial mycoses within these taxa is indicated (AU)

[Ten clues to the histopathologic diagnosis of infectious skin diseases]. / Zehn Clues zur histopathologischen Diagnose von infektiösen Hautkrankheiten.

Specific diagnoses of infectious skin diseases can be established in dermatopathology by several methods: by algorithms based on pattern analysis, by differential diagnosis of clinicopathologically similar disorders, by attention to pitfalls, by exceptions to the rules and finally, very elegantly by clues. Ten clues to specific diagnoses of infectious skin diseases which are of importance in routine practice are presented. Clue 1: Features of an angiocentric angiodestructive lymphoma in the centre of a wedge-shaped necrotic insect bite reaction are a clue to a bite by a spider. Clue 2: Parakeratosis with spiky imprints on the surface above features of an insect bite reaction are a clue to scabies. Clue 3: A faintly eosinophilic section of a skin specimen with prominent fibrin thrombi and extravasated erythrocytes are a clue to a septic fungal vasculitis. Clue 4: Infectious agents in association with otherwise typical features of leukocytoclastic vasculitis are a clue to septic vasculitis. Clue 5: Steel-grey nuclei with marginated nucleoplasm of keratinocytes are a clue to the diagnosis of early infection by herpes virus. Clue 6: Owleye-like cells are a clue to infection by cytomegalovirus. Clue 7: Detection of Entamoeba histolytica in perianal and perineal ulcers are a clue to amebiasis. Clue 8: Round-oval to rectangular spaces within the stratum spinosum of the epidermis are a clue to larva migrans. Clue 9: Macrophages and plasma cells in association with otherwise typical features of pityriasis lichenoides are a clue to secondary syphilis. Clue 10: A lichenoid infiltrate of lymphocytes and plasma cells are a clue to acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans.

A review of cellular and molecular events of contact allergic dermatitis.

This biochemical review is presented for the first time in a dermatophytosis conference. The intent is to challenge biochemists to explain the formation of these lesions to clinicians.