[Hormones, fungi and skin]

It is indicated by some epidemiological and clinical observations, that steroidal hormones may belong to those factors that are capable to influence the clinical courses of mycotic infections in man. Several fungal species, including pathogenic ones, are able to produce or metabolize steroidal hormones, or their growth can be affected by such hormones. Since, on the other hand, the steroid-responsive human skin is also capable to synthesize and convert steroidal hormones, the relationship between pathogenic fungi and host may be influenced by hormonal mediators in dermatomycoses.