State-of-the-Art Dermatophyte Infections: Epidemiology Aspects, Pathophysiology, and Resistance Mechanisms

Author(s)

Martinez-Rossi, Nilce M. ^[1] ; Peres, Nalu T. A. ^{[1, 2]} ; Bitencourt, Tamires A. ^[1] ; Martins, Maira P. ^[1] ; Rossi, Antonio ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Med Sch, Dept Genet, BR-14049900 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Minas Gerais, Inst Biol Sci, Dept Microbiol, BR-31270901 Belo Horizonte, MG - Brazil

• Document type: Review article
• Source: JOURNAL OF FUNGI; v. 7, n. 8 AUG 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

The burden of fungal infections is not widely appreciated. Although these infections are responsible for over one million deaths annually, it is estimated that one billion people are affected by severe fungal diseases. Mycoses of nails and skin, primarily caused by fungi known as dermatophytes, are the most common fungal infections. Trichophyton rubrum appears to be the most common causative agent of dermatophytosis, followed by Trichophyton interdigitale. An estimated 25% of the world's population suffers from dermatomycosis. Although these infections are not lethal, they compromise the quality of life of infected patients. The outcome of antidermatophytic treatments is impaired by various conditions, such as resistance and tolerance of certain dermatophyte strains. The adage ``know your enemy{''} must be the focus of fungal research. There is an urgent need to increase awareness about the significance of these infections with precise epidemiological data and to improve knowledge regarding fungal biology and pathogenesis, with an emphasis on adaptive mechanisms to tackle adverse conditions from host counteractions. This review outlines the current knowledge about dermatophyte infections, with a focus on signaling pathways required for fungal infection establishment and a broad perspective on cellular and molecular factors involved in antifungal resistance and tolerance. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/23435-8 - Molecular mechanisms involved in resistance and adaptive response to fungal inhibitors
• Grantee: Tamires Aparecida Bitencourt
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 18/11319-1 - Transcription factors and cell signaling.
• Grantee: Maíra Pompeu Martins
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 19/22596-9 - Molecular mechanisms associated with pathogenicity and resistance in fungi: strategies for treating dermatophytosis
• Grantee: Nilce Maria Martinez-Rossi
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants