Human dermatophyte infections: Current aspects.

Human dermatophyte infections are a common problem and have a worldwide high prevalence. There is a considerable geographic variability in the global incidence of the different clinical forms and causative species. This variability reflects different environmental and lifestyle conditions. The spectrum of dermatophytes isolated from human skin lesions had greatly changed over the last century. As the type and severity of the infection are often related to the species and strain of causative mycetes, clinical aspects of human dermatophytoses are also changed. Intensive migration from tropical countries have been accompanied by the introduction in the European Community of new pathogens and the reappearance of several anthropophilic dermatophytes, which cause clinical features quite different from those related to zoophilic mycetes. Furthermore, an emerging problem in most developed countries is actually the large diffusion of onychomycosis, representing about 50% of all nail disorders. Treatment of dermatophytoses is still unsatisfactory, despite the availability of a wide range of medications, and many new therapeutic strategies are under investigation. Prevention measures require an increased level of surveillance and a highly effective interdisciplinary cooperation among general practitioners, mycologist, dermatologists and veterinarians are strongly recommended.