Topical and systemic antifungals in dermatology practice

Area of Science:

• Medical Mycology
• Dermatology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Dermatophytosis encompasses fungal infections of the skin, hair, and nails caused by keratinophilic fungi like Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton.
• These infections are globally prevalent, posing a significant public health concern due to their increasing incidence.
• While generally not life-threatening, dermatophytosis requires effective management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of dermatophyte characteristics, including taxonomy and epidemiology.
• To detail the clinical presentations and laboratory diagnostic methods for dermatophytosis.
• To classify current topical and systemic antifungal therapies for dermatophyte infections.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of existing data on dermatophytes and dermatophytosis.
• Classification of dermatophyte species based on taxonomic and epidemiological data.
• Categorization of antifungal agents based on their application (topical/systemic) and efficacy.

Main Results:

• Dermatophytes are classified, and their epidemiological patterns are discussed.
• Various clinical forms of dermatophytosis and their laboratory diagnoses are presented.
• A classification of existing topical and systemic antifungal compounds is provided.

Conclusions:

• Accurate identification of causative fungal species is paramount for successful dermatophytosis treatment.
• Antifungal therapy, utilizing topical and/or systemic agents, is central to patient management.
• Tailored therapeutic strategies based on species-level diagnosis ensure optimal patient outcomes.