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
athletes foot.

A tinea (moth) does not cause skin lesions

There are no worms in ringworm

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