Dermatophytes and ringworm infection

Abstract

For both people and animals, superficial fungal infections affecting the keratinized layers of skin and its appendages are usually referred to as "ringworm." All layers of the skin can be penetrated by ringworm fungi, or dermatophytes, although they are usually limited to cornified areas of the skin “stratum corneum”. Dermatophytosis is the name for a medical condition caused by dermatophytes. Virtually, there is no human population free from these mycotic diseases and about 25% of the world population are infected by derrmatophytosis. Three genera, Microsporum, Epidermophyton, and Trichophyton (Fungi Imperfecti) in Hyphomycetes, the anamorphic class of the Deuteromycota, are the causative agents of dermatophytosis. Trichophyton rubrum appears to be the most common causative agent of ringworm infections, followed by Trichophyton interdigitale and Microsporum canis. It is critical to advance our understanding of fungal biology and pathology and to raise public awareness of the importance of these infections by providing accurate epidemiological data. Ecological groupings, pathogenic potential, clinical manifestation and therapy “chemical and natural” for dermatophytosis are reviewed.