Dermatophyte

Introduction

A fungus that causes superficial infection of the skin, hair &/or nails (keratinized tissue).

Dermatophytosis causes Tinea infections.

Classification

Includes species of:

• Epidermophyton
• Microsporum
• Trichophyton

NOT considered dermatophytes are causative agents of:

• Tinea versicolor
• Tinea nigra
• cutaneous candidiasis

Epidemiology

• may have origin in the soil (geophilic)
• may have other animal hosts (zoophilic)
• may be exclusive pathogens of humans (anthrophilic)

Pathology

• organisms are capable of infecting non-viable keratinized cutaneous tissues
  • stratum corneum
  • nails
  • hair
• dermatophytes secrete keratinases

Laboratory

• Dermatophytes chitin synthase 1 gene in nail

More general terms

• fungi

More specific terms

• Epidermophyton
• Microsporum
• Trichophyton

Additional terms

• dermatophytosis
• stratum corneum (keratin {horny} layer)
• Tinea