Superficial Cutaneous Fungal Infections Research Articles

Borneol serves as an adjuvant agent to promote the cellular uptake of curcumin for enhancing its photodynamic fungicidal efficacy against Candida albicans

Candida albicans (C. albicans), a major opportunistic pathogenic fungus, is known to cause superficial skin infections. Unfortunately, the misuse of antibiotics has led to the emergence of drug resistance in fungi. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT), a non-antibiotic alternative, has shown potential in treating drug-resistant fungal infections. Curcumin is a photodynamically active phytochemical whose photodynamic fungicidal efficacy is largely dependent on its intracellular accumulation. However, curcumin faces challenges in penetrating the cytoplasm due to its poor water solubility and the fungal cell wall. Borneol, another monoterpenoid phytochemical, is known for its ability to enhance drug absorption. In this study, we showed that borneol improved the cellular uptake of curcumin, thereby enhancing its photodynamic fungicidal efficacy against C. albicans. This effect was attributed to borneol's ability to increase cell permeability. Transcriptomic analysis further confirmed that borneol disrupted the normal structure and function of the C. albicans cell wall and membrane, resulting in dysregulated mRNA expression of related genes and ultimately increased cell permeability. As a result, the excessive accumulation of curcumin in C. albicans triggered the overproduction of intracellular ROS upon exposure to blue light. These excessive intracellular ROS disrupted various cellular structures, interfered with essential cellular processes, inhibited biofilm formation and reduced virulence. Remarkably, borneol was also found to enhance curcumin uptake by C. albicans within biofilms, further enhancing the anti-biofilm efficacy of curcumin-mediated aPDT (Cur-aPDT). In conclusion, the results of this study strongly support the potential of borneol as an adjuvant agent to Cur-aPDT in treating superficial cutaneous fungal infections.

Tiña incógnita: una patología común enmascarada por nuestras prescripciones

Las micosis cutáneas superficiales (MCS) son frecuentes en pediatría, representan entre el 20 % a 25% de casos en consultas dermatológicas a nivel mundial. En efecto, a pesar de que una sospecha diagnóstica alta, existen situaciones en las que por un patrón clínico modificado con medicación previa se puede complicar su diagnóstico. Cabe resaltar la importancia para el pediatra de considerar la sospecha diagnóstica de una tiña incógnita o corticoestropeada. El libre acceso a esteroides tópicos en farmacias y el uso de cremas polivalentes comúnmente prescritas por facultativos pueden prolongar la permanencia de esta infección y producir complicaciones. Se suma a esta problemática la insatisfacción por parte de los cuidadores al persistir la infección, a pesar del uso de cremas. Se presenta el caso de una niña de seis años y diez meses de edad, con una dermatosis en rostro de cinco meses de evolución que fue catalogada como una tiña incógnita en cara.

Steroid abuse, quality of life, and various risk factors in dermatophytosis: a cross-sectional observational study from a tertiary care center in northern India

Dermatophytosis is a superficial cutaneous mycosis and is steadily progressing to epidemic proportions in India. Various factors such as steroid overuse and misuse are currently making its treatment challenging. The study examines various sociodemographic characteristics, clinical factors, and steroid abuse in patients with dermatophytosis and also assess their quality of life (QOL). A hospital‑based cross‑sectional study was carried out for a period of 1 year among adult patients with dermatophytosis after obtaining informed written consent. Sociodemographic and clinical details were recorded, and QOL was assessed with the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire. Among 550 patients analyzed, the most common dermatophytosis was tinea (n = 408/550, 74.18%), dominated by tinea cruris and tinea corporis. Steroid abuse was frequent (n = 511/550, 92.90%), the most common being clobetasol propionate (n = 26/52, 50%). Hypopigmentation and atrophy were the most common side effects (53.52%). The mean DLQI was 14.44 ± 7.29 in males and 15.78 ± 6.26 in females. DLQI scores were statistically influenced (p < .05) by steroid abuse, low socioeconomic status, young adult status, widespread tinea, and poor hygiene. Dermatophytosis was found to have a significant adverse impact on QOL. As seen in this study, the widespread abuse of steroids may be a leading cause of the emergence of recalcitrant tinea in India.

Isolation and Identification of Dermatophytes from Collegiate Runners

Competitive runners experience various risk factors that render them more susceptible to superficial cutaneous fungal infections, including the use of occlusive footwear, shared locker rooms, submission of feet to constant maceration, trauma, sweating, and having depressed immune function. The goal of this work was to assess the prevalence of athlete’s foot fungi in cross country runners at St. John Fisher College. Toe webs of 16 collegiate runners were sampled and volunteers surveyed about their shoe habits, foot hygiene, and average miles run per week. Lack of tinea pedis-causing fungi in asymptomatic cross- country runners shifted the study to investigate the identities of fungi morphologically similar to athlete’s foot and look for correlations with volunteers’ running habits and hygiene. Thirty-five distinct fungal cultures were isolated and compared to a known Trichophyton rubrum strain both microscopically and macroscopically. Four samples were preliminarily identified as tinea pedis-causing fungi and sequenced to confirm molecular identification. Fungal DNA was isolated, purified, and PCR amplified using primers for the internal transcribed spacer region, D1/D2 region of the 28S subunit, and β-Tubulin gene. Three of the four isolates were identified as Fusarium equiseti, a soil-borne plant pathogen with rare human pathogenicity reported. The fourth isolate was Beauveria bassiana, a common soil-borne pathogen that can infect immunocompromised individuals. Correct dermatophytic identification and understanding of the interplay between species is important to provide correct treatment, prevent spread among athletes and within facilities, and determine how opportunistic pathogens might play a role in people with immune suppressed function, which includes runners.

Relationship Between Acanthosis Nigricans and Fungal Infection: Clinical and Histopathological findings

Background: Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is a skin condition that presents clinically with hyperpigmented, hyperkeratotic, and velvety skin changes, especially in the intertriginous areas. The intertriginous areas are also susceptible to superficial cutaneous fungal infections. The potential relationship between AN and cutaneous fungal infection has not been investigated. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship, if any, between AN and fungal infection, both clinically and pathologically. Methods: A retrospective review was performed using electronic medical records and histology of biopsy slides obtained from 29 patients who were diagnosed with AN by two dermatopathologists. Comparison was made between the clinical and pathological findings of AN with fungal infection (ANFI+) and AN without fungal infection (ANFI-). Results: Among the 29 patients with AN, fungal spores were detected on the biopsy slides of 18 patients (62.1%) and appeared in the epidermal furrow more often than in the epidermal ridge. No significant clinical difference was found between the ANFI+ and ANFI- groups; however, in the ANFI+ group, lesions were more prevalent in the neck area (p = 0.048). In addition, the ANFI+ biopsy slides revealed more papillomatosis than ANFI- biopsy slides (p = 0.006). Conclusion: Fungal infection tends to appear in combination with AN when more severe papillomatosis is also present.

Identification of the etiological agents that cause superficial cutaneous mycoses in southern Brazil

Superficial skin ringworm is a fungal disease that affects external tissues such as nails, skin and hair of humans and animals. The infection can be transmitted directly, through contact with another infected individual or animal, or indirectly, through contaminated materials, these mycoses being potentially contagious. The main objective of the present study was to identify the etiologic agents of potentially contagious cutaneous superficial mycoses present in southern Brazil, correlating with the gender and the most affected sites of the patients.The study period corresponded from January 2011 to June 2019. Prior to the collection, an interview was conducted with patients to obtain epidemiological information. The collected material was scraped from lesions on the skin and nails and hair epilated. The patients were received at the Clinical Analysis Laboratory (LACT) of the UFRGS School of Pharmacy and at the Rio Grande do Sul State Laboratory (LACEN-RS). Subsequently, with the report of the mycological examination, patients treated at LACT were referred to the Dermatology Service of the State of Rio Grande do Sul for medical care and therapy. During the study period, 6010 nail and skin scrapes were obtained and hair, of which 4560 (76%) were negative and 1450 (24%) positive on mycological examination. The most isolated species were T. rubrum (54%), Candida spp. (19%), T. mentagrophytes (14%) and Malassezia spp. (5%). The Female (70%) were the most affected, and nails (72%) were the most affected followed by skin (27%) and hair (1%). With the data obtained on isolated fungal species, we still have much to work with the community developing educational and preventive measures in conjunction with public policies, to try to reduce the risk of contamination by reaching mainly individuals in a higher state of social vulnerability.

Preliminary clinical application of fluorescence microscopic imaging and computer-aided diagnosis system in the diagnosis of superficial cutaneous fungal infections

Objective To evaluate the accuracy of automated fluorescence microscopic imaging and computer-aided diagnosis system (AFMICADS) in the auxiliary diagnosis of superficial cutaneous fungal infections. Methods Totally, 106 outpatients and inpatients with suspected superficial fungal infections were enrolled from clinical departments of Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology between July 2018 and September 2018. A total of 126 specimens were collected, including 83 skin scales and 43 nail parings. Each specimen was divided into 3 groups to be examined by conventional fungal microscopy, culture with modified Sabouraud dextrose agar and fluorescence microscopy (artificial fluorescence microscopy and AFMICADS-based fluorescence microscopy) respectively. A positive result was defined as that conventional fungal microscopy and/or fungal culture was positive. Consistency rate, sensitivity and specificity of the 3 microscopic methods were calculated. Statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS 10.0 software by using McNemar test and Kappa test for analyzing difference in the positive rate, as well as consistency, between the 3 microscopic methods and the positive standard, and by using efficiency test for comparing the consistency rate among the 3 microscopic methods. Results Of 126 specimens, 124 (98.4%) were positive for artificial fluorescence microscopy, and 123 (97.6%) for AFMICADS-based fluorescence microscopy. Both positive rates of the above 2 microscopic methods were significantly higher than the positive rate of the positive standard (77.8%, both P 0.05) . Conclusion The accuracy of AFMICADS-based fluorescence microscopy in the diagnosis of superficial cutaneous fungal infections is similar to that of artificial fluorescence microscopy. Key words: Fungi; Microscopy, fluorescence; Diagnosis, computer-assisted; Fluorescence stain; Machine vision; Automated fluorescence microscopic imaging

Epidemiology and Risk Factors of Superficial Fungal Infections in Toukh Primary Health Care Centre

Background: Fungal skin infection has become a significant problem. Therefore accurate diagnosis and treatment of the active disease as well as the reduction of the re-infection by continued screening, follow up of relatives, treating asymptomatic carriers and disinfecting their environment is mandatory. Objective: The study was conducted to determine the frequency of superficial cutaneous fungal infections in Toukh City and to identify the risk factors underlying superficial cutaneous fungal infections. Patients and Methods: Our study investigated prevalence of fungus infections in Toukh Primary Health Care Center, 420 study participants were examined for presence of fungus infection of glabrous skin, hair and nails. All participants completed a questionnaire to estimate their knowledge about superficial fungal infections (SFIs) and to record presence of risk factors for SFIs. Results: The study showed more prevalence of fungal infection (18.6%). Dermatophyte infections were more prevalent than non-dermatophyte (51.2% vs 37.2%) of infected cases. Onychomycosis had prevalence 1.2% of our study participants and 6.4% of infected participants. Candidal infection was (5.2%), tinea (T.) pedis was (3.6%), T. cruris was (2.1%), T. capitis was (1.7%), T. versicolor was (1.7%), T. circinata was (1.2%), T. barbae was (0.5%) and T. corporis was (0.5%) of study participants. Females represent (62.8%) of cases, while males represent (37.2%). Concerning with predisposing factor was contact with animals (70.5%). (57.1%) of infected participants were diabetics, (71.4%) of infected participants were usually wearing synthetic clothes, (64.1%) of infected participants shared towel between family members and (73.1%) shared hair brush. Conclusion: Skin fungal infections are widely prevalent among the population and there is need to increase the awareness of risk factors contributing to skin fungal infections. Awareness in relation to personal hygiene, education status and occupation do play a part in genesis of SFIs.

“A clinico epidemiological study of dermatophytosis in a tertiary care center, Ujjain”

Introduction: Dermatophytes are fungi that can cause infections of the skin, hair & nails due to their ability to invade keratin. Dermatophytosis is the most common superficial fungal infection worldwide, more common in tropics and subtropical regions. It may present in epidemic proportions in areas of high humidity. Aims and Objectives: The present study is aimed to determine the distribution and to identify the clinical types of dermatophytosis that are prevalent in Malwa region. Materials and Methods: A total of 298 samples were collected from infected skin, hair and nails for a period of 1 year.Samples were collected under aseptic condition by skin scrapping, nails and hairs clipping by using scalpel or forceps and were then subjected to direct microscopy by potassium hydroxide (KOH) mount. Results: Dermatophytosis manifested more in the age group of 21-30 years, with male predominance. Among various clinical types, tinea cruris was the commonest type. Direct microscopy on KOH mount revealed the presence of dermatophytic fungi in 71.8% of the samples. Conclusions: Dermatophytosis is the commonest disease presenting in dermatology clinics and are responsible for myriad of clinical manifestations in human. Empirical use of steroid/mixed preprations, poor patient compliance due to high cost and changing dress sense are some important contributing factors for the real upsurge in incidence and prevalence of dermatophytosis in the last few years. Keywords: Dermatophytoses, Tinea cruris, Tinea corporis. Introduction Dermatophytes are a group of closely related filamentous fungi that can cause infections of the skin, hairs & nails due to their ability to utilize keratin.[1]They are classified into three genera: Microsporum, Trichophyton, and Epidermophyton. Trichophyton rubrum has been the most common isolates. These superficial cutaneous mycoses affect 20% to 25% of the world’s population.[2]In the present scenario of India, dermatophytoses

Chromoblastomycosis in a renal allograft recipient on calcineurin inhibitor-free immunosuppression

Superficial cutaneous fungal infections are common in our country in the kidney transplant recipients. However, deep fungal infections involving the skin and subcutaneous tissue are relatively rare. Here, we report a case of chromoblastomycosis in a renal allograft recipient on a calcineurin inhibitor-free immunosuppression. The case highlights the importance of skin biopsy in differentiating various skin lesions in transplant patients and the role of the early institution of appropriate treatment in successfully treating these infections.

Biosynthesized silver and gold nanoparticles are potent antimycotics against opportunistic pathogenic yeasts and dermatophytes.

BackgroundEpidemiologic observations indicate that the number of systemic fungal infections has increased significantly during the past decades, however in human mycosis, mainly cutaneous infections predominate, generating major public health concerns and providing much of the impetus for current attempts to develop novel and efficient agents against cutaneous mycosis causing species. Innovative, environmentally benign and economic nanotechnology-based approaches have recently emerged utilizing principally biological sources to produce nano-sized structures with unique antimicrobial properties. In line with this, our aim was to generate silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) by biological synthesis and to study the effect of the obtained nanoparticles on cutaneous mycosis causing fungi and on human keratinocytes.MethodsCell-free extract of the red yeast Phaffia rhodozyma proved to be suitable for nanoparticle preparation and the generated AgNPs and AuNPs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering and X-ray powder diffraction.ResultsAntifungal studies demonstrated that the biosynthesized silver particles were able to inhibit the growth of several opportunistic Candida or Cryptococcus species and were highly potent against filamentous Microsporum and Trichophyton dermatophytes. Among the tested species only Cryptococcus neoformans was susceptible to both AgNPs and AuNPs. Neither AgNPs nor AuNPs exerted toxicity on human keratinocytes.ConclusionOur results emphasize the therapeutic potential of such biosynthesized nanoparticles, since their biocompatibility to skin cells and their outstanding antifungal performance can be exploited for topical treatment and prophylaxis of superficial cutaneous mycosis.

Dermatophytoses; epidemiology and distribution among urban and sub urban population

Background: Superficial mycoses or superficial cutaneous fungal infections are the most common mycotic infections worldwide, which involve outermost covering of skin and its appendages like hair and nail. The patients invariably try to neglect such type of infections and seek medical attention usually for cosmetic reasons and not because of discomfort. At least 10% of world’s population has dermatophyte infection. Dermatophytes are by far the most significant cutaneous fungi because of their widespread involvement of population and their worldwide prevalence. The dermatophytes are a group of closely related keratinophillic fungi that invade keratinised tissues-skin, hair and nails of humans and animals to produce an infection called as dermatophytoses or ring worm. Dermatophytes colonise superficial dead or desquamating layers of skin and its appendages. Superficial mycoses have become a significant health problem affecting children, adolescents and adults in developing countries. The present study was planned to characterise the different dermatophytes, non dermatophytes, budding yeast like fungi and other fungi in various types of superficial mycoses cases and there distribution in urban and sub urban population. Specimens like skin, hairs and nail were collected and subjected to KOH wet mount preparation and culture on SDA further identification was done by LCB mount and slide culture technique. Out of 400 patients attending dermatology OPD various superficial fungal infection Specimens were collected and dermatophyte sps. were identified. T. tonsurans was the most common isolated spp from T.capitis. T. mentagrophytes was the most commonly isolated spp. from T.corporis. Candida sps. was isolated from T. cruris. NDM were isolated from T. pedis. From cases of T. unguium.

Infekcje grzybicze skóry i tkanki podskórnej u chorych po transplantacji narządów

Infekcje grzybicze skóry i tkanki podskórnej u chorych po transplantacji narządów

A Cross-Sectional, Clinico-Mycological Research Study of Prevalence, Aetiology, Speciation and Sensitivity of Superficial Fungal Infection in Indian Patients

Introduction: Skin is a mechanically protective layer as well as cosmetically significant anatomical structure. The superficial cutaneous fungal infections involve its outer most covering including appendages like hair and nails. This the most common causes of skin disease in many tropical countries. Objectives: To study the prevalence, aetiology, speciation and sensitivity of superficial fungal infections. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 100 clinically diagnosed cases of Superficial Fungal Infection attending the Dermatology OPD for a period of 6 months. Detailed history was taken in relation to age, sex, duration of illness, personal history, recurrent infections etc. Clinical examination of lesion included number, types of lesions, scaling, presence of crusts or pustules, scarring, black dot appearances, hair lusture etc. Samples like skin scrapings, hair stubs, nail clippings and pus were collected for KOH study and fungal culture. Results: Dermatophyte infection mostly Tinea corporis is found to be more in male in 20-30 years age group of population. Covered part of the body is affected more and commonly hygiene plays a major part of its occurrence. KOH positivity is found in 68% and culture positivity in 88.2% of the clinically diagnosed cases with Trichophyton species as the commonest. Fluconazole and Clotrimazole found to be highly sensitive ; Ketoconazole fount to be partially sensitive with 65% . Conclusion: Dermatophytes were the commonest mycological isolate with Trichophyton rubrum as the common infecting species. Young male preponderance with involvement of covered areas of the body of both skilled and unskilled workers. This can be prevented by a meticulous personal hygiene. Fluconazole and Clotrimazole found to be highly sensitive.

Impacts of chemical enhancers on skin permeation and deposition of terbinafine

Context/Objective: The addition of chemical enhancers into formulations is the most commonly employed approach to overcome the skin barrier. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of vehicle and chemical enhancers on the skin permeation and accumulation of terbinafine, an allylamine antifungal drug.Methods: Terbinafine (1% w/w) was formulated as a Carbopol 934 P gel formulation in presence and absence of three chemical enhancers, nerolidol, dl-limonene and urea. Terbinafine distribution and deposition in stratum corneum (SC) and skin following 8-h ex vivo permeation study was determined using a sequential tape stripping procedure. The conformational order of SC lipids was investigated by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy.Results and discussion: Nerolidol containing gel formulation produced significantly higher enhancement in terbinafine permeation through skin and its skin accumulation was increased. ATR-FTIR results showed enhancer induced lipid bilayer disruption in SC. Urea resulted in enhanced permeation of terbinafine across the skin and a balanced distribution to the SC was achieved. But, dl-limonene could not minimize the accumulation of terbinafine in the upper SC.Conclusion: Nerolidol dramatically improved the skin permeation and deposition of terbinafine in the skin that might help to optimize targeting of the drug to the epidermal sites as required for both of superficial and deep cutaneous fungal infections.

Disseminated dermatophytic pseudomycetoma caused by Microsporum species

Dermatophyte infection is almost exclusively a superficial cutaneous mycosis usually confined to the stratum corneum of nails and hairs of normal hosts. Deep cutaneous and subcutaneous infections due to dermatophytes are exceedingly rare and usually limited to immunosuppressed individuals. These infections remain chronic and persist in spite of treatment. We report two clinical cases of disseminated dermatophytic pseudomycetoma caused by Microsporum gypseum and Microsporum canis in immunosuppressed patients. Patient 1, in 2008, showed improvement with fluconazole, cephalothin, and terbinafine treatment for Microsporum gypseum. After suspension of the treatment, new lesions appeared and culture from material was positive. In 2009, she presented confluent papules and nodules forming plaques on her face and neck with the isolation of Microsporum canis. Clinical response to this treatment was poor. Patient 2 was affected by both tinea corporis due to Trichophyton rubrum and dermatophytic pseudomycetoma caused by Microsporum canis. The response to treatment was successful with oral itraconazole and local surgical excision. It is important to recognize these atypical presentations of dermatophytic infections in immunosuppressed patients, which may warrant a more aggressive treatment in order to achieve resolution.

Evaluation of reflectance confocal microscopy in dermatophytosis

Traditional diagnostic testing for dermatophyte infection currently requires skin scraping for light microscopy and/or fungal culture or skin biopsy. Immunofluorescent microscopy can also be used with calcofluor stain. All of these tests can be time-consuming to perform, require a waiting period for results and are invasive. This study aimed to define the in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) features of superficial cutaneous fungal infections and to analyse concordance with microscopic examination. Totally, 45 patients, who were diagnosed with superficial cutaneous fungal infections according to the positive result of microscopic examination, were enrolled in this study. We selected three typical lesions examined by RCM, and then recorded the results. In the patients with the tinea manus and pedis, mycelium in stratum corneum was found by the RCM in 14 of 22 patients (14/22; 63.64%). In the patients with the tinea cruris, mycelium in stratum corneum was found by the RCM in 19 of 23 patients (19/23; 82.61%). RCM seems to be useful for microscopic evaluation of mycelium features and may have a scientific value in study of superficial cutaneous fungal infections.

Application of confocal laser scanning microscopy in the diagnosis of superficial cutaneous fungal infections

Objective To estimate the performance of confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) in the diagnosis of superficial cutaneous fungal infections. Methods This study recruited 59 patients with clinically suspected superficial cutaneous fungal infections.Three typical lesions were selected in each patient for CLSM and microscopic examination.Results CLSM revealed hyphae in stratum corneum in 56％ (14/25) of tinea manus or pedis and 79.17％ (19/24) of tinea cruris lesions,7 out of 8 tinea manus or pedis and 94.12％( 16/17 ) of tinea cruris early lesions (＜ 3 weeks ),and 41％ (7/17) of tinea manus or pedis and 3 out of 7 tinea croris old lesions (＞ 3 weeks).All the CLSM-positive specimens were positive for microscopic examination,and among the CLSM-negative specimens,fungal elements were observed by microscopic examination in 8 out of 11 tinea manus or pedis specimens,4 out of 5 tinea cruris specimens,1 tinea manus or pedis and 1 tinea cruris specimen of early lesions,and 7 out of 10 tinea manus or pedis and 3 out of 4 tinea cruris specimens of old lesions.No hypha was found by CLSM in any of the 10 tinea versicolor specimens,while microscopic examination revealed fungal elements in 8 of them.Neither CLSM nor microscopy revealed fungal elements in lesions from 5 patients with tinea manus or pedis and 5 patients with tinea cruris after treatment with topical bifonazole cream for 2 weeks.Conclusions CLSM shows a good consistency with light microscopy in the examination of early lesions of tinea marnus and pedis as well as tinea croris,and may serve as a valuable tool for clinical diagnosis.

Expression of CD30 antigen in superficial mycotic infections of the skin: a possible non‐specific finding without clinical relevance

Expression of CD30 is a distinct marker of lymphocytic activation, originally described in Reed-Sternberg cells of Hodgkin's disease. Recently, the first two cases in which CD30 was expressed in tissue samples derived from superficial cutaneous fungal infections have been reported. The objective of this study was to investigate the expression of CD30 in tinea corporis and to discuss the clinical relevance of CD30. Twenty-three skin biopsies from 23 patients with mycotic infections of the skin were analysed retrospectively. The immunophenotypic expression of CD30 was investigated. In the series investigated, some large CD30-positive cells located in the upper dermal infiltrate were noted in two of 23 biopsy specimens (8.7%). The existence of CD30-positive cells was independent of the density and composition of the accompanying inflammatory infiltrate. We showed that the expression of CD30 in dermatophytoses is not a consistent finding. Instead, as a sign of lymphocytic activation, CD30 expression is observed coincidentally in cutaneous fungal infections. Our data confirm the observation that CD30 antigen is expressed in a variety of benign and malignant skin disorders, including cutaneous fungal infections, probably as an epiphenomenon without clinical relevance.

Application of Wood's lamp in the diagnosis of superficial cutaneous fungal infections.

Objective To estimate the performance of Wood's lamp examination in the diagnosis of superficial cutaneous fungal infections. Methods Totally, 129 patients, who were diagnosed with superficial cutaneous fungal infections according to clinical medical history and signs, were enrolled in this study. Wood's lamp examination of lesions was carried out. Cutaneous samples were obtained from the patients and subjected to microscopic examination and fungal culture. Results Wood's lamp examination was positive in 84% and 85.7% of patients with tinea versicolor and malassezia folliculitis, respectively; among these patients positive for Wood's lamp examination, 92.9% were positive for fungal culture, and 87.5% for microscopic examination. In patients clinically diagnosed with tinea manus and pedis, tinea corporis or tinea cruris, 8.3% were positive for Wood's lamp examination, while 85.4% were positive for fungal examination. There was a high consistency between Wood's lamp examination and fungal examination in patients with tinea versicolor and malassezia folliculitis, but not in those with tinea manus and pedis, tinea corporis or tinea cruris. Conclusions Wood's lamp examination shows a high specificity and sensitivity and is useful in the diagnosis of tinea versicolor and malassezia folliculitis, but seems unapplicable for the diagnosis of tinea manus and pedis, tinea corporis or tinea cruris.