---
title: "dermatophytes"
description: "Dermatophyte is a common label for a group of fungi of Arthrodermataceae that commonly causes skin disease in animals and humans. Traditionally, these anamorphic (asexual or imperfect fungi)..."
url: https://mdpathyqa.com/question-tag/dermatophytes/
type: term
taxonomy: question_tags
taxonomy_label: "Question Tags"
count: 2
lang: en
---

# dermatophytes

**Dermatophyte **is a common label for a group of fungi of *Arthrodermataceae* that commonly causes skin [disease](https://mdpathyqa.com/subjects/) in animals and humans. Traditionally, these anamorphic (asexual or imperfect fungi) mold genera are *Microsporum*, *Epidermophyton,* and *Trichophyton*. There are about 40 species in these three genera. Species capable of reproducing sexually belong to the teleomorphic genus Arthroderma, of the Ascomycota.

Dermatophytes cause infections of the skin, hair, and nails, obtaining nutrients from keratinized material. The organisms colonize the keratin tissues causing inflammation as the host responds to metabolic byproducts. Colonies of dermatophytes are usually restricted to the nonliving cornified layer of the epidermis because of their inability to penetrate the viable tissue of an immunocompetent host. Invasion does elicit a host response ranging from mild to severe. Acid proteinases (proteases), elastase, keratinases, and other proteinases reportedly act as virulence factors. Additionally, the products of these degradative enzymes serve as nutrients for the fungi. The development of cell-mediated immunity correlated with delayed hypersensitivity and an inflammatory response is associated with clinical cure, whereas the lack of or defective cell-mediated immunity predisposes the host to chronic or recurrent dermatophyte infection.

Some of these skin infections are known as ringworm or tinea (which is the Latin word for “worm”), though infections are not caused by worms. It is thought that the word tinea (worm) is used to describe the snake-like appearance of the dermatophyte on the skin. Toenail and fingernail infections are referred to as onychomycosis. Dermatophytes usually do not invade living tissues but colonize the outer layer of the skin. Occasionally the organisms do invade subcutaneous tissues, resulting in kerion development.

## Latest entries

- [What are the clinical types of dermatophytes?](https://mdpathyqa.com/question/what-are-the-clinical-types-of-dermatophytes/) — .
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