[Superficial mucocutaneous mycosis]

J L Schmutz1, A Barbaud, N Contet-Audonneau

  • 1Service de dermatologie, Hôpital Fournier, Nancy.

La Revue Du Praticien
|September 1, 1996
PubMed

Insights

Superficial mycosis, common fungal infections affecting skin, hair, and nails, impact 10-15% of the French population. Factors like lifestyle changes and increased sports participation contribute to their high incidence.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Superficial mycoses represent a significant public health concern, with a high prevalence in France.
  • The incidence is influenced by societal changes, increased social interaction, and rising participation in sports activities.
  • Causative agents are broadly categorized into dermatophytes and yeasts, each with distinct clinical manifestations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of superficial mycoses.
  • To discuss the common etiological agents and their impact.
  • To highlight the prevalence and contributing factors of these infections.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of epidemiological data on superficial mycoses.
  • Classification of causative fungal agents.
  • Description of common clinical presentations.

Main Results:

  • Superficial mycoses affect 10-15% of the population in France.
  • Dermatophytes infect keratinized structures (skin, hair, nails) causing conditions like tinea corporis, tinea capitis, and onychomycosis.
  • Yeasts, including Candida species and Malassezia furfur, cause candidiasis and pityriasis versicolor, respectively. Oral candidiasis is frequent in HIV patients.

Conclusions:

  • Superficial mycoses are widespread fungal infections with multifactorial causes.
  • Understanding the diverse agents and risk factors is crucial for effective management.
  • These infections pose a notable burden on public health, particularly in specific populations like HIV-infected individuals.

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...
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...
The Skin Microbiota01:27

The Skin Microbiota

The human skin serves as a complex ecosystem inhabited by a diverse community of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This microbiome plays a critical role in maintaining skin health and defending against pathogenic invaders. The composition of microbial communities varies significantly across different regions of the body, influenced primarily by the local levels of moisture and sebum.Regional Variation in Skin MicrobiotaCutibacterium acnes predominantly colonizes sebaceous...
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...
Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
Candidiasis01:20

Candidiasis

Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by opportunistic species of Candida. It can affect various anatomical sites, including the skin, oral cavity, nails, and genitourinary tract. Among its forms, vaginal candidiasis is the most common type of mucosal infection. It typically results from the overgrowth of Candida albicans in the vaginal mucosa. Under normal conditions, C. albicans exists as a commensal organism within the vaginal microbiota, regulated by the dominance of lactobacilli, which...