Dermatophytoses

Dermatophytes are a group of fungi that derive nutrition from keratin. They are an important cause of infection in animals and humans, causing superficial infection of skin, hair, and nails. Depending on the natural habitat and host preference, they are grouped as geophilic, zoophilic, or anthropophilic. Zoophilic dermatophytes are important because of their spread among animal communities and their frequent transmission to humans. In the last few decades, the spectrum of agents of zoophilic dermatophytosis and their epidemiology have frequently changed based on population movements, geographic and climatic conditions, socio-economic circumstances, human interaction with animals, and the level of surveillance. The comprehension of these epidemiological trends plays an important role in understanding their diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. People who have close contact with infected cattle or cats, such as farmers and veterinarians, are more often exposed to zoophilic dermatophyte infections, eliciting inflammatory skin lesions. Proper and timely identification of the causative agent plays a crucial role in providing effective treatment to the patient. Though traditional mycological methods are commonly used for diagnosis, there has been more frequent use of molecular methods and recently, MALDI-TOF for species identification. Treatment involves both oral and topical antifungal therapy for a prolonged period. Research is on the way for potential vaccines against zoophilic dermatophytes in animals.