Dermatophytes and Dermatophytoses

Dear Colleagues,

Dermatomycosis caused by dermatophytes is one of the most common superficial infections, and if one takes onychomycosis or tinea unguium into account, dermatophyte infections most likely outnumber bacterial skin infections. Infections caused by the genus Trichophyton have the highest clinical significance among those caused by the seven genera known today as per the new taxonomy of dermatophytes. Trichophyton rubrum, the most common anthropophilic dermatophyte worldwide, is currently being increasingly replaced by other species, with Trichophyton interdigitale being one such species. However, the epidemic-like spread of the molecular offshoot Trichophyton mentagrophytes, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) genotype VIII on the Indian subcontinent, and now having increasingly been reported in several countries across the globe, is causing increasing concern. Trichophyton mentagrophytes ITS VIII has currently been classified as the new species of Trichophyton indotineae. Irrespective of the two names used interchangeably, they are molecularly identical and demonstrate terbinafine resistance in vitro and relevant point mutations in the squalene epoxidase gene. The other dermatophyte regarded as an emerging pathogen is Trichophyton tonsurans as a causative agent of not only tinea gladiatorum, but also of the so-called barbershop mycosis (Tinea capitis et faciei due to Trichophyton tonsurans). Additionally, zoophilic dermatophyte species such as Trichophyton quinckeanum and Trichophyton benhamiae are causing concern, with the latter dermatophyte spreading almost explosively in times of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, especially in Germany.

We endeavor to dedicate this Special Issue to significant infections caused by the genus Trichophyton, in the hopes that it will be an easily accessible resource under one umbrella.

Prof. Dr. Pietro Nenoff
Dr. Philipp P. Bosshard
Guest Editors

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