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Published on: November 6, 2019

Pathogenesis of dermatophytoses

Ram Tainwala1, Yk Sharma

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Pimpri, Pune, India.

Indian Journal of Dermatology
|July 21, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Dermatophytes, fungi causing skin infections, adhere to and penetrate the skin. Host defenses involve T-cells, but antibodies are not protective against these fungal infections.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Dermatophytes are fungi capable of surviving on the skin's keratinized layers.
  • Fungal adherence and host adaptation are key to establishing infection.
  • Natural infection occurs through direct contact with infectious fungal elements.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the mechanisms of dermatophyte infection.
  • To understand host-pathogen interactions in cutaneous mycoses.
  • To review host defense mechanisms against dermatophytes.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on dermatophyte pathogenesis.
  • Analysis of fungal adherence factors and host response pathways.
  • Examination of immunological and non-immunological defense mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Dermatophytes utilize specific mechanisms to adhere to and penetrate host skin.
  • Host immune response is primarily mediated by T-cells (delayed-type hypersensitivity).
  • Antibody production does not confer protection against dermatophyte infections.

Conclusions:

  • Dermatophyte infections involve adherence, penetration, and host immune responses.
  • Cell-mediated immunity plays a crucial role in controlling fungal skin infections.
  • Effective natural defenses against dermatophytes involve both immune and non-immune factors.
Keywords:
Dermatophytosespathogenesistinea

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