Dermatophytes

(Superficial Mycoses)

(Skin Plants)
 Tinea

Ringworm (moth)
Tinea corporis
(the body)
Tinea pedis
(feet)
Tinea unguium
(nails)
Tinea capitis
(scalp)
Tinea cruris
(jock itch)
 Tinea barbae
(bearded area)
 Tinea versicolor
(Spaghetti and meatballs)
 Ecology of Dermatophytes

To determine the source of infection

• Anthropophilic
• Zoophilic
• Geophilic
 Anthropophilic

Associated with humans only.

Person -to-person transmission
through contaminated objects (comb,
hat, etc.)
 Zoophilic

Associated with animals. Direct

transmission to humans by close
contact with animals.
 Geophilic

Usually found in soil. Transmitted to

humans by direct exposure.
Geographic Distribution

Worldwide
 Dermatophytes
3 Genera

• Trichophyton
• Microsporum
• Epidermophyton
 Trichophyton
(19 species)

• Hair
• Skin
• Nails
Trichophyton species

Large, smooth, thin wall,

septate, pencil-shaped
 Trichophyton rubrum

Causes a chronic infection in patients

with a cell-mediated immune defect.
(most common in SC blacks)
Microsporum
(13 species)

• Skin
• Hair
Microsporum species

Thick wall, spindle

shape, multicellular
 Microsporum canis

.
Most common etiologic agent of tinea
in SC whites
Epidermophyton floccosum

• Skin
• Nails
Epidermophyton floccosum

Bifurcated hyphae with

multiple, smooth, club
shaped macroconidia (2-4
cells)
 Therapy
• Griseofulvin
• Tinactin
• Clotrimazole
• Miconazole
• Ketoconazole
• Itraconazole
• Terbinafine
 Dermatophytid Reaction
(ID)

• Dermatophyte infection on feet

(not clinically evident)
• Ringworm Lesion on hand
(usually the dominant side)
 Dermatophytid Reaction
(ID)

• Culture skin scrapings from feet

• Treat the tinea pedis

• The hand lesion (ID phenomenon) will

respond to therapy of the foot.
Dermatophyte Culture
Dermatophyte Culture
Dermatophyte Culture
 Dermatophytes
• It is not necessary to be an athlete to get
athlete’s foot.

• A tinea (moth) does not cause skin lesions

• There are no worms in ringworm

The end