Trichophyton interdigitale: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 23:55, 9 February 2025

Species of fungus

Trichophyton interdigitale is a species of fungus in the genus Trichophyton. It is a dermatophyte, which means it is a type of fungus that causes skin infections in humans and animals. T. interdigitale is closely related to Trichophyton mentagrophytes and is often associated with athlete's foot and other tinea infections.

Description

Trichophyton interdigitale is characterized by its ability to grow on keratinized tissues such as skin, hair, and nails. The fungus forms colonies that are typically white to cream-colored with a powdery texture. Microscopically, it produces septate hyphae and conidia. The conidia are usually spherical to pyriform and are borne singly or in clusters.

Pathogenicity

Trichophyton interdigitale is a common cause of dermatophytosis, particularly in the feet, where it causes tinea pedis (athlete's foot). It can also infect the nails, leading to onychomycosis, and occasionally other parts of the body, resulting in tinea corporis or tinea cruris. The infection is typically superficial, affecting the outer layers of the skin, but can cause significant discomfort and itching.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of infections caused by Trichophyton interdigitale is usually made by clinical examination and confirmed by laboratory tests. Microscopy and culture of skin scrapings, nail clippings, or hair samples can reveal the presence of the fungus. Molecular techniques such as PCR can also be used for more precise identification.

Treatment

Treatment of Trichophyton interdigitale infections typically involves the use of topical or oral antifungal medications. Common topical treatments include terbinafine, clotrimazole, and miconazole. In more severe cases, oral antifungals such as itraconazole or fluconazole may be prescribed.

Prevention

Preventive measures include maintaining good personal hygiene, keeping the skin dry, and avoiding sharing personal items such as towels and footwear. In communal areas such as swimming pools and locker rooms, wearing protective footwear can help reduce the risk of infection.

Related pages

References

Weitzman, I., & Summerbell, R. C. (1995). The dermatophytes. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 8(2), 240-259.
Havlickova, B., Czaika, V. A., & Friedrich, M. (2008). Epidemiological trends in skin mycoses worldwide. Mycoses, 51(Suppl 4), 2-15.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Trichophyton interdigitale''' is a species of [[fungus]] that is part of the [[dermatophytes]] group, which are fungi that have the ability to invade and grow on skin, hair, and nails. This species is known to cause various types of [[dermatophytosis]], including athlete's foot and ringworm.
+{{Short description|Species of fungus}}
+{{Taxobox
+| name = Trichophyton interdigitale
+| image = Trichophyton_mentagrophytes_(257_18)_Cultured.jpg
+| image_caption = ''Trichophyton interdigitale'' culture
+| regnum = [[Fungi]]
+| phylum = [[Ascomycota]]
+| classis = [[Eurotiomycetes]]
+| ordo = [[Onygenales]]
+| familia = [[Arthrodermataceae]]
+| genus = ''[[Trichophyton]]''
+| species = '''''T. interdigitale'''''
+| binomial = ''Trichophyton interdigitale''
+}}
-== Taxonomy ==
+'''''Trichophyton interdigitale''''' is a species of [[fungus]] in the genus ''[[Trichophyton]]''. It is a dermatophyte, which means it is a type of fungus that causes skin infections in humans and animals. ''T. interdigitale'' is closely related to ''[[Trichophyton mentagrophytes]]'' and is often associated with [[athlete's foot]] and other [[tinea]] infections.
-The species ''Trichophyton interdigitale'' belongs to the genus ''[[Trichophyton]]'', which is part of the family ''[[Arthrodermataceae]]''. This family is within the order ''[[Onygenales]]'', which is a group of fungi that are known for their ability to degrade keratin.
+==Description==
+''Trichophyton interdigitale'' is characterized by its ability to grow on [[keratinized]] tissues such as skin, hair, and nails. The fungus forms colonies that are typically white to cream-colored with a powdery texture. Microscopically, it produces septate hyphae and conidia. The conidia are usually spherical to pyriform and are borne singly or in clusters.
-== Morphology ==
+==Pathogenicity==
+''Trichophyton interdigitale'' is a common cause of [[dermatophytosis]], particularly in the feet, where it causes [[tinea pedis]] (athlete's foot). It can also infect the nails, leading to [[onychomycosis]], and occasionally other parts of the body, resulting in [[tinea corporis]] or [[tinea cruris]]. The infection is typically superficial, affecting the outer layers of the skin, but can cause significant discomfort and itching.
-''Trichophyton interdigitale'' is a [[microscopic]] fungus that produces [[hyphae]], which are the filamentous structures that make up the body of a fungus. It also produces [[spores]], which are the reproductive units of the fungus.
+==Diagnosis==
+Diagnosis of infections caused by ''Trichophyton interdigitale'' is usually made by clinical examination and confirmed by laboratory tests. [[Microscopy]] and [[culture]] of skin scrapings, nail clippings, or hair samples can reveal the presence of the fungus. Molecular techniques such as [[PCR]] can also be used for more precise identification.
-== Pathogenicity ==
+==Treatment==
+Treatment of ''Trichophyton interdigitale'' infections typically involves the use of topical or oral [[antifungal]] medications. Common topical treatments include [[terbinafine]], [[clotrimazole]], and [[miconazole]]. In more severe cases, oral antifungals such as [[itraconazole]] or [[fluconazole]] may be prescribed.
-''Trichophyton interdigitale'' is a [[pathogen]] that can cause infections in humans and animals. The most common infections caused by this fungus are [[tinea pedis]] (athlete's foot) and [[tinea corporis]] (ringworm). These infections are characterized by itchy, red, and scaly skin.
+==Prevention==
+Preventive measures include maintaining good personal hygiene, keeping the skin dry, and avoiding sharing personal items such as towels and footwear. In communal areas such as swimming pools and locker rooms, wearing protective footwear can help reduce the risk of infection.
-== Treatment ==
+==Related pages==
+* [[Dermatophyte]]
+* [[Tinea]]
+* [[Onychomycosis]]
-Treatment for infections caused by ''Trichophyton interdigitale'' typically involves the use of [[antifungal]] medications. These can be applied topically or taken orally, depending on the severity of the infection.
+==References==
+* Weitzman, I., & Summerbell, R. C. (1995). The dermatophytes. ''Clinical Microbiology Reviews'', 8(2), 240-259.
+* Havlickova, B., Czaika, V. A., & Friedrich, M. (2008). Epidemiological trends in skin mycoses worldwide. ''Mycoses'', 51(Suppl 4), 2-15.
-== Prevention ==
+[[Category:Trichophyton]]
-Prevention of ''Trichophyton interdigitale'' infections involves maintaining good hygiene and avoiding contact with infected individuals or animals. Wearing footwear in public showers and locker rooms can also help prevent infection.
-== See also ==
-* [[Dermatophytosis]]
-* [[Tinea pedis]]
-* [[Tinea corporis]]
-[[Category:Fungi]]
-[[Category:Pathogenic fungi]]
 [[Category:Dermatophytes]]
-{{Fungi-stub}}
+[[Category:Fungal pathogens of humans]]
-{{Medicine-stub}}