Related Experiment Videos

[Onychomycosis : a crown jewel of dermatology]

H-J Tietz1, P Nenoff

  • 1Institut für Pilzkrankheiten, Luisenstr. 50, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland. tietz@institut-fuer-pilzkrankheiten.de

Insights

Onychomycosis, a fungal nail infection, is treatable but prone to relapse due to persistent spores and patient susceptibility. A sporicidal topical therapy combined with systemic treatment and accurate diagnosis is key for sustained results.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases

Context:

  • Onychomycosis is a prevalent fungal infection impacting nail health.
  • High relapse rates are common due to residual fungal spores and individual susceptibility.
  • Effective treatment requires addressing both the infection and underlying factors.

Purpose:

  • To present a novel three-step therapeutic approach for managing onychomycosis.
  • To outline a treatment strategy that is easy to implement and well-tolerated.
  • To achieve sustained therapeutic success in treating fungal nail infections.

Summary:

  • The study details a three-step treatment plan for onychomycosis.
  • This approach emphasizes sporicidal topical therapy as crucial for long-term success.
  • In severe cases, long-term, well-tolerated systemic therapy, guided by microbiological diagnosis, is recommended.

Impact:

  • Provides a practical and effective strategy for clinicians treating onychomycosis.
  • Aims to reduce the high relapse rates associated with fungal nail infections.
  • Offers a well-tolerated treatment option for patients, improving long-term outcomes.

Related Concept Videos

Skin Diseases and Disorders01:23

Skin Diseases and Disorders

Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Accessory Structures of the Skin: Nails01:05

Accessory Structures of the Skin: Nails

Nails are one of the important accessory structures of the skin. They are hard, protective structures that cover the dorsal surface of the distal phalanges of fingers and toes. Nails are composed of specialized keratinized cells and serve various functions, including protection, sensation, and manual dexterity.
The main components of a nail include the following.
Nail Plate: The nail plate is the visible portion of the nail that extends beyond the fingertips or toes. It is a hard, translucent...
Antifungal Agents01:15

Antifungal Agents

Amphotericin B is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that exploits structural differences between fungal and mammalian cell membranes. Its amphipathic structure—featuring a hydrophobic polyene-lactone ring and a hydrophilic region containing mycosamine and carboxylic acid groups—enables selective binding to ergosterol, a sterol predominantly found in fungal plasma membranes. This selective interaction underlies the drug’s antifungal activity, although weak binding to cholesterol contributes to...
Staphylococcal Skin Infections01:29

Staphylococcal Skin Infections

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus that resides harmlessly on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy individuals. When the skin barrier is breached, it can shift from a commensal to an opportunistic pathogen. This transition is facilitated by surface adhesins, such as clumping factor B and S. aureus surface protein G (SasG), which bind to structural proteins, including loricrin and cytokeratin, in the damaged epidermis. Protein A, another key factor, binds the Fc region of...
Fungal Group Zygomycota01:29

Fungal Group Zygomycota

Zygomycota, previously classified as a distinct fungal group, are primarily terrestrial, saprophytic molds that play a crucial role as decomposers. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that these fungi are now divided into two major clades — Mucoromycota, which includes many symbiotic species, and Zoopagomycota, which primarily consists of parasitic and pathogenic fungi. These groups exhibit distinct ecological roles and reproductive strategies while sharing key structural and...
Fungal Phylum Ascomycota01:28

Fungal Phylum Ascomycota

Phylum Ascomycota, a major division within the subkingdom Dikarya, comprises a diverse range of fungal species, including both unicellular yeasts and filamentous molds such as Aspergillus and Penicillium. These fungi thrive in a variety of habitats, from aquatic ecosystems to terrestrial environments, playing crucial ecological and economic roles.Morphology and ReproductionThe defining characteristic of Ascomycetes, commonly referred to as sac fungi, is the ascus—a sac-like structure that...