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Mechanisms of skin adherence and invasion by dermatophytes

A Baldo1, M Monod, A Mathy

  • 1Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.

Mycoses
|August 12, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Dermatophyte fungi adhere to skin using secreted proteases. Further research is needed to fully understand how these fungi invade and digest keratinized structures for infection.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Dermatology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Dermatophytes are fungi that infect keratinized tissues in humans and animals.
  • Fungal adherence to the stratum corneum is the initial step in dermatophyte infections.
  • The digestion of keratinized structures is crucial for fungal assimilation and invasion.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanisms and kinetics of dermatophyte adherence to host tissues.
  • To explore the role of secreted proteases in fungal adherence and invasion.
  • To enhance the understanding of dermatophyte infection pathways.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro and ex vivo experimental models were utilized.
  • Studies focused on the adherence of arthroconidia to the stratum corneum.
  • Analysis included the role of secreted serine proteases from Microsporum canis.

Main Results:

  • A secreted serine protease from Microsporum canis plays a role in fungal adherence to feline corneocytes.
  • The precise mechanisms of dermatophyte invasion and keratin digestion require further elucidation.
  • Existing research primarily focuses on secreted proteases, but their exact function in adherence and invasion needs more exploration.

Conclusions:

  • Secreted proteases are implicated in the initial adherence of dermatophytes to host tissues.
  • Further investigation into the specific roles of various proteases is essential for understanding dermatophyte pathogenesis.
  • Clarifying these mechanisms could lead to improved strategies for managing dermatophyte infections.

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