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Dermatophytosis (Tinea) and Other Superficial Fungal Infections

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Diagnosis and Treatment of Fungal Infections

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Abstract

This chapter discusses dermatophytosis and other superficial mycoses, describing their epidemiology, clinical characteristics, diagnostic procedures, differential diagnosis, and current treatment. The most common dermatophytic fungi belong to the Trichophyton, Microsporum, Nannizzia, and Epidermophyton genera, which have worldwide distribution. Diagnostic procedures include direct mycological examination, culture, and species identification, including PCR techniques. Systemic and topical antifungal therapies are described to achieve safe and optimum therapeutic outcome. New techniques such as photodynamic therapy and laser treatment for onychomycosis are discussed.

Pityriasis versicolor is a worldwide infection that predominates in hot and humid climates. The proper diagnosis is easily made. We describe the different etiological agents, clinical pictures, and differential diagnoses involved in this fungal infection and selection of the best treatment options.

In memory of Dr. Oliverio Welsh.

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Further Reading

  • Begum J, Mir NA, Lingaraju MC, Buyamayum B, Dev K. Recent advances in the diagnosis of dermatophytosis. J Basic Microbiol. 2020;60:293–303.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • de Hoog SG, Dukik K, Monod M, Packeu A, Stubbe D, Hendrickx M, Kupsch C, Benjamin Stielow J, Freeke J, Goker M, Rezaei-Matehkolaei A, Mirhendi H, Graser Y. Toward a novel multilocus phylogenetic taxonomy for the dermatophytes. Mycopathologia. 2017;182:5–31.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gupta AK, Bamimore MA, Renaud HJ, Shear NH, Piguet A. A network meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of monotherapies for tinea capitis, and an assessment of evidence quality. Pediatr Dermatol. 2020;37:1014–22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Martinez-Rossi NM, Peres NTA, Rossi A. Pathogenesis of dermatophytosis: sensing the host tissue. Mycopathologia. 2017;182:215–27.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pihet M, Le Govic Y. Reappraisal of conventional diagnosis for dermatophytes. Mycopathologia. 2017;182:169–80.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Saunders J, Maki K, Koski R, Nybo SE. Tavaborole, efinaconazole, and luliconazole: three new antimycotic agents for the treatment of dermatophytic fungi. J Pharm Pract. 2017;30:621–30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Saunte DML, Gaitanis G, Hay RJ. Malassezia-associated skin diseases, the use of diagnosis and treatment. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2020;10:112. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2020.00112.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Vlachos C, Henning MAS, Gaitanis G, Faergemann J, Saunte DM. Critical synthesis of available data in Malassezia folliculitis and a systematic review of treatment. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2020;34:1672–83.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Microbiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico

    Gloria M. González

  2. Mycology Department, Dermatology Service, Hospital General de Mexico “Dr. Eduardo Liceaga”, Ciudad de México, Mexico

    Alexandro Bonifaz

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  1. Gloria M. González
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  2. Alexandro Bonifaz
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Correspondence to Gloria M. González .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA

    Duane R. Hospenthal

  2. Departments of Pathology, Microbiology, and Clinical Laboratory Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA

    Michael G. Rinaldi

  3. Departments of Medicine and Microbiology & Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Thomas J. Walsh

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González, G.M., Bonifaz, A. (2023). Dermatophytosis (Tinea) and Other Superficial Fungal Infections. In: Hospenthal, D.R., Rinaldi, M.G., Walsh, T.J. (eds) Diagnosis and Treatment of Fungal Infections. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-35803-6_24

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