Superficial Fungal Infections
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Editors
Prof. Dr. Aditya K. Gupta
Prof. Dr. Aditya K. Gupta
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Collection Editor
Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3H2, Canada
Interests: onychomycosis; tinea infection; antifungal therapy; antifungal resistance; clinical diagnosis; superficial non-dermatophyte infections
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Topical Collection Information
Dear Colleagues,
Technological advances have expanded the clinical perspective of superficial fungi from minor infective species to widespread agents with important roles in the human microbiome. New technologies allow us to better identify fungal agents, leading to an improved understanding of fungal species’ function and detection in infection. Furthermore, greater knowledge of fungal biology promotes a better clinical assessment of superficial fungal infection and opens the door for enhanced methods of treatment. Thus, new perspectives on these infections are essential to establish optimal therapy routes for future patients.
This Topical Collection aims to review the changing biological factors of fungal infections:
- New fungal ID methods/classification;
- Possible changing epidemiology;
- Fungal resistance;
- Biofilms and other new fungal biology.
Another objective is to address the role of non-dermatophyte fungi in superficial infections, provide strategies for improved standard therapies and discuss new treatment options/strategies.
The scope of this Topical Collection is as follows:
- New classifications of species/epidemiology;
- Interactions among dermatophytes/non-dermatophytes/other microbes;
- New oral/topical/device therapies;
- Immune system impacts of superficial infections;
- Improved methods of fungal detection/identification.
Prof. Dr. Aditya K. Gupta
Prof. Dr. Bianca Maria Piraccini
Collection Editors
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Keywords
- tinea
- trichophyton
- non-dermatophyte
- fungal resistance
- azoles
- itraconazole
- terbinafine
Published Papers (2 papers)
2025
Open AccessArticle
National Belgian Study on Terbinafine Resistance in Trichophyton interdigitale/mentagrophytes/indotineae (2022–2023): Epidemiology and Molecular Features
by
Rosalie Sacheli, Sabrina Egrek, Khalid El Moussaoui, Bahoz Kurt, Emilie Machowski, Saadia Harag and Marie-Pierre Hayette
Viewed by 626
Abstract
Objectives:
Trichophyton indotineae, a dermatophyte closely related to
T. interdigitale and
T. mentagrophytes, is of growing concern due to its high terbinafine resistance and widespread presence in India. Its emergence in Europe calls for enhanced surveillance. Resistance is linked to
[...] Read more.
Objectives:
Trichophyton indotineae, a dermatophyte closely related to
T. interdigitale and
T. mentagrophytes, is of growing concern due to its high terbinafine resistance and widespread presence in India. Its emergence in Europe calls for enhanced surveillance. Resistance is linked to mutations in the squalene epoxidase (
SQLE) gene. This multicentric national study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, terbinafine susceptibility, and phylogenomics of
T. interdigitale/mentagrophytes/indotineae strains in Belgium, with a focus on SQLE substitutions.
Methods: Between February 2022 and April 2023, 137 isolates from 16 Belgian labs were analyzed for antifungal susceptibility using the EUCAST E.Def.11.0 method. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed via Illumina sequencing method.
Results: Phylogenomic analysis identified 8
T. indotineae, 91
T. interdigitale, and 38
T. mentagrophytes (including 7 genotype VII strains). Terbinafine resistance (5.1%) was mainly found in
T. indotineae (87.5%), always linked to SQLE substitutions.
T. interdigitale was fully susceptible.
T. mentagrophytes showed mildly elevated MICs, often associated with K276N substitution.
Conclusions: Terbinafine-resistant
T. indotineae is emerging in Belgium, mostly via imported cases. Continued molecular surveillance and species-specific treatment strategies are essential.
Full article
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Open AccessCommunication
Epidemiology and Genomic Characterization of Trichophyton mentagrophytes over a Period of 4 Years in Northern Italy
by
Luca Rossi, Annarita Sorrentino, Caterina Signoretto and Paolo Gaibani
Viewed by 696
Abstract
Dermatophytes are keratinophilic fungi that cause a wide range of superficial infections in humans and animals. The
Trichophyton mentagrophytes species complex is one of the most clinically important groups due to its broad host range, widespread distribution, and increasing involvement in antifungal-resistant infections.
[...] Read more.
Dermatophytes are keratinophilic fungi that cause a wide range of superficial infections in humans and animals. The
Trichophyton mentagrophytes species complex is one of the most clinically important groups due to its broad host range, widespread distribution, and increasing involvement in antifungal-resistant infections. Here, we described the epidemiology of
T. mentagrophytes over a period of 4 years detected in the northeastern part of Italy and provided the genomic characterization of clinical isolates. ITS sequence analysis revealed that among the 13 strains studied, 11 belonged to the
T. mentagrophytes complex. In detail, nine were classified as genotype I/II and two as genotype VII. Analysis of the
SQLE gene revealed that nine strains harbored a wild-type gene, while two carried a Lys276Asn mutation. Genomic analysis was performed on three clinical
T. mentagrophytes strains that belonged to genotype I/II, revealing the presence of different virulence factors including MEP-1, MEP-2, MEP-3, and MEP-5. Phylogenetic analysis based on core-genome SNPs demonstrated that the two genomes included in this study were clonally related to a
T. mentagrophytes strain isolated in China in 2024. In conclusion, our study highlights the importance of genomic characterization in order to trace the epidemiology of dermatophytes worldwide and to characterize emerging strains.
Full article
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