Host immune responses in dermatophytes infection

Author(s)

Celestrino, Giovanna Azevedo ^{[1, 2]} ; Veasey, John Verrinder ^[3] ; Benard, Gil ^{[1, 2]} ; Teixeira Sousa, Maria Gloria ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Lab Micol Med LIM 53, Div Dermatol Clin, Fac Med, Hosp Clin, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Hosp Santa Casa Sao Paulo, Clin Dermatol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Review article
• Source: MYCOSES; v. 64, n. 5 FEB 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Dermatophytosis is a skin infection caused by keratinophilic, filamentous fungi. These are highly prevalent, common mycoses, affecting approximately 20% of the population. These fungi invade the stratum corneum, and other keratinised tissues, like nails and hair, where they grow by secreting enzymes and degrading keratin to obtain nutrients. Clinical presentation is variable and may depend on many factors, such as the infection site, the host's immunity and the dermatophyte's virulence. Generally, patients with acute superficial dermatophytosis mount cell-mediated immune responses. However, those suffering from chronic or recurrent infections are unable to develop this response, for reasons yet unknown. Several reports have described severe and occasionally life-threatening invasive diseases (deep dermatophytosis) associated with genetic mutations in the innate immunity-associated molecule CARD9, displaying the need to better understand its immune response. These dermatoses have substantial clinical consequences, producing chronic and difficult to treat skin lesions. They also lead to a decline in the patient's quality of life and impact their self-esteem. This review summarises findings on the immune response against dermatophytes. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/16369-1 - Chronic disseminated dermatophytosis due to Trichophyton rubrum: role of neutrophils in the effector mechanisms and in the modulation of the adaptive response of the human infection
• Grantee: Maria da Gloria Sousa Stafocker
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/26208-8 - Chronic disseminated dermatophytosis due to Trichophyton rubrum: role of neutrophils in the effector mechanisms and in the modulation of the adaptive response of the human infection
• Grantee: Maria da Gloria Sousa Stafocker
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Young Researchers
• FAPESP's process: 18/16146-8 - Chronic disseminated dermatophytosis due to Trichophyton rubrum: role of neutrophils in the effector mechanisms and in the modulation of the adaptive response of the human infection
• Grantee: Giovanna Azevedo Celestrino
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master