Fungal infections

Abstract

Superficial mycoses are among the most common infectious diseases in dermatological practice. Migration and tourism are responsible for changes in the spectrum of pathogens that cause dermatophytosis, and new, especially molecular, methods have changed the classification of dermatophytes. Consideration of predisposing factors is important for the diagnosis and therapy of opportunistic yeast infections. Subcutaneous mycoses are mainly found in tropical and subtropical regions (an exception being cutaneous alternariosis) and often have a broad differential diagnosis. In systemic fungal infections, the skin can be the organ of first manifestation or the target organ in hematogenous spread (aspergillosis, fusariosis, zygomycosis). Successful local and systemic therapy requires an exact diagnosis, with identification of the pathogen for all mycoses. These data are crucial for the choice of the antimycotic, the route of administration, dose, and duration.