Ringworm Fungi Research Articles

Review of the Clinical Types of Dermatophytes

Fungi known as dermatophytes require keratin in order to develop. "Ringworm" is the common term for superficial fungus infections that affect the skin's keratinized layers and its limbs in both humans and animals. These fungi have the potential to superficially infect nails, hair, and skin. Ringworm fungi have the ability to penetrate all layers of skin. Dermatophytes can be transmitted directly by people (anthropophilic organisms), indirectly by fomites, and by animals (zoophilic organisms), soil (geophilic organisms), and other people. Dermatophytes are the cause of the medical condition known as dermatophytosis. Approximately 25% of the global population suffers from dermatophytosis, and no human population is immune to these mycotic disorders. There are three genera in total. the more than twenty species of dermatophytes: Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton. By providing reliable epidemiological data, it is imperative that we expand broaden public knowledge of the importance of these illnesses and deepen our understanding of fungal biology and pathology. Ecological classifications, clinical potential for pathogenicity manifestations, and "chemical and natural" dermatophytosis therapy alternatives are some of the review themes.

Dermatophytes and ringworm infection

For both people and animals, superficial fungal infections affecting the keratinized layers of skin and its appendages are usually referred to as "ringworm." All layers of the skin can be penetrated by ringworm fungi, or dermatophytes, although they are usually limited to cornified areas of the skin “stratum corneum”. Dermatophytosis is the name for a medical condition caused by dermatophytes. Virtually, there is no human population free from these mycotic diseases and about 25% of the world population are infected by derrmatophytosis. Three genera, Microsporum, Epidermophyton, and Trichophyton (Fungi Imperfecti) in Hyphomycetes, the anamorphic class of the Deuteromycota, are the causative agents of dermatophytosis. Trichophyton rubrum appears to be the most common causative agent of ringworm infections, followed by Trichophyton interdigitale and Microsporum canis. It is critical to advance our understanding of fungal biology and pathology and to raise public awareness of the importance of these infections by providing accurate epidemiological data. Ecological groupings, pathogenic potential, clinical manifestation and therapy “chemical and natural” for dermatophytosis are reviewed.

Perbandingan efektifitas talcum, unguentum, dan pasta ekstrak terstandar kulit manggis (garcinnia mangostana linn) terhadap ringworm disease (tinea corporis)

Purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of talcum, unguentum and paste of mangosteen peel extract standardized (Garcinnia mangostana Linn) against Ringworm Disease in vivo. This type of experimental research using completely randomized design. The research sample: male hamster 24 animals, divided 4 groups and 6 replications: a control group, were infected ringworm fungus (Trycophyton mentagophytes) but not given treatment (P0), the treatment group infected ringworm fungus and treated with talcum extract standardized mangosteen rind (P1) treatment group and the untreated ringworm fungus infected unguentum standardized extract of mangosteen peel (P2), a group that ringworm fungus infected and treated with a paste of mangosteen peel extract standardized (P3). Giving a fungal infection ringworm done once, then wait 1-2 weeks until the fungal infection spread to the whole body of experimental animals were then treated according to the treatment dose of 50% twice a day. Observation of wound healing, change in body surface area that has been infected with mildew, scab and reduction of area small dots such as rings and mushrooms are native examination conducted on the 5th, 10th and 15th. Results of the examination of the wound healing, change in body surface area that has been infected with mildew, scab and reduction of area small dots like ring diskoring and analyzed by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The results showed: the treatment group was given a fungal infection ringworm and treated with a paste of mangosteen peel extract standardized to 50% dose twice daily (P3) provide most excellent and effective than the group P2, P1 and P0 appears on the 15th day.

Extra n-Heksana Antifungi Cream Alpinia Galanga

The use of galangal in the community is a common thing, in addition to cooking, it is used also to treat skin diseases caused by fungi, but the application is still traditional. Besides, many studies report that the compound in ginger have activity as an antifungal, among others, Trichophyton metagrophytes that causes ringworm. One of the elucidations showed that the galangal ethanol extract was able to treat the rabbits’ skin affected by the fungus, but its ability was less than the active antifungal cream compound on the market, katenazol. Other studies have shown that ginger nonpolar extract effectively inhibits the growth of fungi T metagrophytes, but it has not been applied in the form of cream, nor there has a report on the impact of galangal extract allergy cream. The study traces the nonpolar extract of galangal against Trichophyton metagrophytes, compared with katenazol, applied in the form of creams, and skin allergy test. Based on the search results, the minimum inhibitory diameter of the ringworm fungus, between the galangal n-hexane extract has a greater value than the positive control, which is 36 mm. Spot on TLC between galangal nonpolar extract have the same Rf as katenazol, 0,62, and this extract does not affect skin allergy after 2 hours of use. The result of this study is expected to improve the utilization of galangal as an antifungal in the form of cream.

Prevalence of Dermatophytic Infection and the Spectrum of Dermatophytes in Patients Attending a Tertiary Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Background. Dermatophytosis is common worldwide and continues to increase. Objective. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of dermatophytosis and the spectrum of ringworm fungi in patients attending a tertiary hospital. Methods. Samples were collected from 305 patients. A portion of each sample was examined microscopically and the remaining portion of each sample was cultured onto plates of Sabouraud's dextrose agar containing chloramphenicol with and without cycloheximide. Dermatophyte isolates were identified by studying macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of their colonies. Result. Of 305 samples, fungi were detected in 166 (54.4%) by KOH of which 95 were dermatophytes while 242 (79.4%) samples were culture positive of which 130 isolates were dermatophytes. Among dermatophyte isolates T. violaceum was the most common (37.7%) cause of infection. Tinea unguium was the predominant clinical manifestation accounting for 51.1% of the cases. Patients with age group 25–44 and 45–64 years were more affected. T. violaceum was the most common pathogen in tinea unguium and tinea capitis, whereas T. mentagrophytes was the most common pathogen in tinea pedis. Conclusion. Further intensive epidemiological studies of ring worm fungus induced dermatophytosis which have public health significance are needed.

Seeing through the stratum corneum.

The stratum corneum (SC) provides a vital barrier membrane between the external environment and the vulnerable internal tissues of the skin. It impedes the flow of water, the penetration of xenobiotics, and invasion of pathogenic micro-organisms. It also has protective capacity against ultraviolet radiation and thermal injury. As routine histopathology provides a misleading picture of a disorganized and shadowy SC, we would recommend the skin surface biopsy technique. This painless technique is easy and reliable in obtaining information from the SC. It demonstrates the geometric patterns of the surface, the openings of the eccrine ducts and hair follicles. The skin surface biopsy technique is also ideal for the investigation of the in situ microbiology of skin. Staining with periodic acid Schiff reagent makes it possible to see ringworm fungi, pityriasis versicolor, candida species, or erythrasma micro-organisms. Scanning electron microscopy can be employed when the higher magnification is needed. Histochemical applications include silver staining for melanin particle, potassium ferricyanide staining for blood pigments and lipid staining with Sudan red, for sebum. The rate of movement of topically applied drugs into the skin can be measured using the skin surface biopsy technique. The concentration of radiolabelled drugs can be counted and compared. Comedogenicity and DNA analysis are other applications of this non-invasive technique.

Fungitoxic Properties of Latex of Plants with Special Reference to that of Croton bonplandianum Boill

AbstractDuring antifungal testing of latex (1:5 v/v in 50%, acetone) of 20 plant species against two ringworm fungi viz., Microsporum gypsrum and Trichophyron mentagrophytes, only the latex of Croton bonplandianum exhibited absolute toxicity inhibiting the mycelial growth of both the fungi. The latex of Argemone mexicana was found active against T. mentagrophytes while that of Jatropha panduraefolia against Microsporum gypseum only. Maximum dilution of Croton latex for absolute inhibition of M. gypseum and T. mentagrophytes was found to be 1:10 and 1:15 respectively at which these showed static nature and narrow fungitoxic spectrum. The fungitoxicity remained stable at high temperature and long storage period.

An in vitro human skin model for assaying topical drugs against dermatophytic fungi

A shortened modification of Dittmar´s in vitro human skin assay reliably predicts the efficacy of topical antifungals against ringworm fungi. Cadaver skin was treated with the test agents for 4 or 24 h. After heat separation of the epidermis for one minute at 60 degrees C, the undersurface was point inoculated with a spore suspension of T. mentagrophytes. In untreated skin fluffy, 3 mm colonies develop after 4 to 5 days of incubation. Effective fungistats produce complete inhibition of growth. Commercial formulations of the imidazoles, tolnaftate and ciclopirox were highly effective. Haloprogin, undecylenate, and hydroxyquinoline in proprietary form were inactive. There was a high correspondence between in vitro and in vivo effectiveness. The method should be useful for screening new antifungals and for optimal selection of vehicles.

Isolation and Identification of Ringworm Fungi

Isolation and Identification of Ringworm Fungi

Book reviews

Benchmark Papers in Microbiology Volume 14. Chemotherapeutic Agents for Bacterial Infections (1981). Edited by M. Lynn & M. Solotorovsky.Biochemistry of Antimicrobial Action (1981). Edited by T.J. Franklin & G.A. Snow.Jenner's Smallpox Vaccine (1981). D. Baxby.Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases: Their Epidemiologic Characteristics (1981). I.J. Tartakow & J.H. Vorperian.Isolation and Identification of Ringworm Fungi (Public Health Laboratory Service Monograph No. 15) (1981). Edited by D.W.R. Mackenzie & C.M. Philpot.The Fungal Spore: Morphogenetic Controls (1981). Edited by G. Turian & H.R. Hohl.The Staphylococci (1981). Edited by A. Macdonald & G. Smith.Microbial Control of Pests and Plant Diseases, 1970–1980 (1981). Edited by H.D. Burges.

Isolation and Identification of Ringworm Fungi: By D. W. R. MACKENZIE and C. M. PHILPOT. P.H.L.S. Monograph No. 15. 1981. H.M. Stationery Office, London. Pp. vi and 59. 3.50

Microbiology Society journals contain high-quality research papers and topical review articles. We are a not-for-profit publisher and we support and invest in the microbiology community, to the benefit of everyone. This supports our principal goal to develop, expand and strengthen the networks available to our members so that they can generate new knowledge about microbes and ensure that it is shared with other communities.

Geographical distribution of the dermatophytes: a review.

In these days of rapid transit from continent to continent, and the increasing mobility of people, agents of disease are no longer geographically restricted. Disease contracted half way across the world may become manifest in a country in which the pathogen is not normally found. Thus knowledge of the geographical distribution of pathogens becomes increasingly important when a diagnosis is being made. This is as true of ringworm fungi as of any other group of microorganisms. In the last 12 years, in the Mycological Reference Laboratory, an increasing number of exotic dermatophytes have been seen, related in part at least to the great increase in the number of non-British residents. Not all species of dermatophytes are cosmopolitan in their distribution throughout the world. While some have been recorded from every continent, others have geographically limited areas of greater or lesser extent. Surveys taken at intervals in a country may show a rise and fall in occurrence of several species as habits change, populations move and medical facilities became increasingly well-distributed. There have been few geographical surveys of ringworm fungi that have covered the world. Ajello (1960, 1974) has reviewed the individual species with regard to geographical location, while Vanbreuseghem & de Vroey (1970) attempted to estimate the relative importance of the various species in terms of numbers of isolations reported. This paper therefore reviews the world dermatophyte flora in terms of the dominant agents in the various countries, and some of the changes that have been recorded.

Genetics of Fungi Pathogenic for Man

AbstractGreat strides have been made in research on fungi pathogenic to man and animal during the last three decades, but little progress has been made in the genetics of these microorganisms. The principal reason for such a delay in genetic research is that mechanisms for genetic recombination were not known to exist in most of the pathogens.1 It was not until the early part of the last decade that the parasexual cycle in Aspergillus fumigatus2 and heterothallism in several ringworm fungi were discovered.3-8 The reports of heterothallism in dermatophytes stimulated medical mycologists to search for the perfect state in systemic pathogens. Within the last 5 years, heterothallism has been discovered in Blastomyces dermatitidis, Histo-plasma capsulatum, and Geotrichum candidum.9-11 Although for the last 10 years steady progress has been made employing these fungi as genetic tools, our knowledge of the genetics of human pathogenic fungi is fragmentary compared with what is known about the saprophytes and pla...

Fungal infection of skin and nails by Hendersonula toruloidea.

SUMMARY Ten cases of skin and nail infection by Hendersonula toruloidea are described. All the patients were from tropical countries, though some had been in Britain for many years. Infections were confined to the hands and feet, which showed scaling skin and dystrophic nails. Four of the patients presented with these symptoms, the remaining six having presented with other skin conditions. The presence of brown-walled hyphae in nail tissue and the repeated isolation of H. toruloidea in pure culture are taken as evidence that this species was infecting the tissues. In each of two patients there was evidence of concurrent infection by a ringworm fungus in one of the sites examined.

A technique for bacteriological sampling of hair.

Bacteriological sampling of hair has been previously carried out by applying culture plates directly to the hair but the resulting heavy growth of mixed organisms could make rapid identification of individual colonies difficult and the use of selective media with this technique prevents a comparison of relative numbers of different organisms. The method described here, based onatechnique used by MacKenzie (1963) to isolate ringworm fungi from schoolchildren,

A genetic study of an extracellular elastin-hydrolysing protease in the ringworm fungus Arthroderma benhamiae.

Summary: Analysis of crosses between granular and downy self-sterile strains of Arthroderma benhamiae (= Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. granulosum) displaying high and low extracellular elastin-hydrolysing capabilities indicates that the locus for mating-type segregates independently of a colonial morphology locus and a locus determining elastin-hydrolysing capability. The colonial morphology locus consists of two alleles which govern the production of granular or downy phenotypes, and is closely linked to a locus consisting of two alleles which determine high or low extracellular elastolytic activity, showing a recombination frequency of approximately 5%.

Elastase: production by ringworm fungi.

Isolants of nine species of Trichophyton, one of Epidermophyton, and four of Microsporum were assayed for elastase activity. The species or isolants with elastase activity were obtained from patients with inflammatory ring-worm infection. In Nannizzia fulva (M. fulvum), plus-mating-type strains were elastase-positive and minus-mating-type strains elastase-negative. A genetic study of mating type and elastase activity indicated a monogenic basis for both mating type and elastase activity.

Embryonic morphogenesis: role of fibrous lattice in the development of feathers and feather patterns.

In the morphogenesis of embryonic feather germs the formation of dermal cell groupings is associated with the development of a highly regular pattern of birefringence in the dermis. This birefringence is due to a lattice-like system of collagenous tracts along which dermal cells become progressively aligned and grouped in regularly spaced sites. The experimental results suggest that this fibrous lattice is of major significance in the morphogenesis of feather germs and in their characteristic pattern of distribution.

Elastase: Production by Ringworm Fungi

Isolants of nine species of Trichophyton , one of Epidermophyton , and four of Microsporum were assayed for elastase activity. The species or isolants with elastase activity were obtained from patients with inflammatory ringworm infection. In Nannizzia fulva ( M. fulvum ) plus-mating-type strains were elastase-positive and minus-mating-type strains elastase-negative. A genetic study of mating type and elastase activity indicated a monogenic basis for both mating type and elastase activity.

Handbuch der Haut- und Geschlechtskrankheiten. J. Jadassohn. Ergänzungswerk. Band 4, Teil 4. Die Pilzkrankheiten der Haut durch Hefen, Schimmel, Aktinomyceten und verwandte Erreger.

In the monumental supplement to Jadassohn's Handbuch (1927-1934) our knowledge of skin and venereal diseases is brought up to date. The present 800-page section deals with fungus diseases of man caused by yeasts, molds, actinomycetes and related organisms, exclusive of dermatophytes (ringworm fungi). As it should be in the age of the airplane when continents are separated only by a few hours, ample space is devoted to exotic, particularly tropical fungus, diseases. The space, however, is not always advantageously allocated: Such widespread and significant diseases as histoplasmosis and North American blastomycosis are dealt with in only short—though good—chapters, while South American blastomycosis and chromoblastomycosis are discussed in minute detail. Not all the chapters are equally up-to-date: the fine contribution of Fernando Latapi of Mexico on mycetoma (Madura foot, etc.) utilizes the most modern terms and findings, while an unnecessarily overlapping chapter on nocardiosis uses antiquated nomenclature. The revolutionary work of