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Published on: November 6, 2019

Pathogenesis of dermatophytosis

Sandy Vermout1, Jérémy Tabart, Aline Baldo

  • 1Department of Infectious & Parasitic Diseases, Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Boulevard de Colonster, 20, 4000 Liège, Belgium.

Mycopathologia
|May 15, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Understanding dermatophytosis pathogenesis is complex. New genetic tools and infection models are improving our view of how these fungi interact with host skin cells, revealing new virulence factors.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Dermatology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Dermatophytosis pathogenesis remains complex despite superficial infections.
  • Limited understanding of fungal adhesion, gene regulation, and immunomodulation in dermatophytosis.
  • Previous research focused mainly on secreted proteases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore new virulence factors in dermatophytosis.
  • To investigate fungal adhesion, gene expression, and immunomodulation.
  • To gain a comprehensive view of host-fungus interactions in skin infections.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing new genetic tools for high-throughput functional investigation of dermatophyte genes.
  • Employing sophisticated in vitro infection models.
  • Analyzing interactions between fungi and host epidermal cells, particularly keratinocytes.

Main Results:

  • Identification of new putative virulence factors.
  • Advancement in understanding gene regulation during infection.
  • Improved insights into fungal adhesion mechanisms.

Conclusions:

  • New genetic tools and in vitro models are crucial for advancing dermatophytosis research.
  • These advancements offer a more comprehensive understanding of host-fungus interactions.
  • Further research will elucidate complex pathogenic mechanisms and identify novel therapeutic targets.

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