Dermatophytes

Dermatophytes are keratinophilic fungi that are responsible for common infections such as tinea pedis, tinea capitis, and tinea unguium. Their wide prevalence is mainly due to the existence of large human and animal reservoirs coupled with their ease of transmission from one host to another and their high inherent resistance to harsh environmental conditions. Although normally noninvasive, dermatophytic infections may rarely disseminate, particularly in immunocompromised hosts. In spite of the multitude of options now available for the diagnosis and treatment of dermatophytic infection, certain forms, such tinea unguium, are often challenging to manage.