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8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2025

Resistance & virulence traits in dermatophytes isolated from Mangaluru, India.

Background & objectives Dermatophytes are accountable for the majority of fungal skin infections globally, affecting 20-25 per cent of the world population. Though not fatal, these infections have significant psychosocial impacts and reduce the quality of life. Prevalence of the infection varies geographically, influenced by factors like social practices, migration and climate. Understanding the pathogenicity of dermatophytosis including virulence factors and drug resistance, is necessary to identify factors that predispose recalcitrance. Methods A prospective hospital-based study was carried out in the dermatology departments of two tertiary care hospitals in Mangaluru, India from November 2018 to March 2021. We included 93 individuals of recalcitrant tinea infections, and excluded those with diabetes or those under immunosuppressive therapy. Skin scrapings from lesions were cultured, and DNA extracted for ITS sequencing. All samples were processed for antifungal susceptibility testing, and mutation analysis in squalene epoxidase gene for representative isolates and virulence factor assays. Results Of 93 clinically diagnosed individuals with dermatophytosis, dermatophytes were recovered in 70.96 per cent samples, with Trichophyton mentagrophytes complex being the most common agent. Antifungal susceptibility testing showed high MICs for fluconazole, terbinafine and itraconazole in several isolates, indicating in-vitro resistance. Mutation analysis for six isolates revealed missense mutations in the squalene epoxidase gene. Virulence activity analysis showed high enzyme production levels among isolates, contributing to their pathogenicity. Interpretation & conclusions These findings underscore the complexity of dermatophytosis and emphasize the need for persistent tracking of antifungal resistance patterns and virulence factors. Such insights are vital for developing effective treatment strategies and improving patient outcomes due to rising antifungal resistance.

Humans↗
PubMed2025

Uncovering the antifungal potential of Cannabidiol and Cannabidivarin.

Fungal infections pose a major threat to human health with increasing incidence of antifungal resistance globally. Despite the need for novel antifungal drugs, few are currently in clinical development. Here we evaluate the antifungal activity of five phytocannabinoids against several clinically relevant fungal pathogens, with a focus on the priority pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. Our results demonstrate that Cannabidiol (CBD), and particularly Cannabidivarin (CBDV), have broad activity against C. neoformans and other fungal pathogens, including dermatophytes that cause common tinea. We found that both CBD and CBDV acted in a fungicidal manner and prevented biofilm formation in C. neoformans. Phytocannabinoid treatment impeded factors important for virulence and antifungal resistance, including reduced capsule size and disruption of mature biofilms. Proteomics analysis revealed that the antifungal activity of CBD and CBDV was linked to destabilisation of the membrane, alterations in ergosterol biosynthesis, disruption of metabolic pathways, as well as selective involvement of mitochondrial-associated proteins. We next tested the ability of CBD to topically clear a C. neoformans fungal infection in vivo using the Galleria mellonella burn wound model, and we observed greatly improved survival in the CBD treated larvae. This study illustrates the potential of phytocannabinoids as antifungal treatments and opens up new routes towards development of novel antifungal drugs.

Antifungal Agents↗
PubMed2026

Emerging terbinafine-resistant Trichophyton indotineae between 2018 and 2023: a multinational genomic epidemiology study.

BACKGROUND: Trichophyton species cause the greatest burden of dermatophytosis worldwide, with the Trichophyton mentagrophytes species complex being particularly associated with the emergence of new aggressive infections. One emerging species, Trichophyton indotineae is notable for its clinical resistance to terbinafine antifungal treatment and rapid global spread. In this study we aim to characterise the epidemiology of this emerging pathogen using genomics. METHODS: In this retrospective genomic epidemiology study, to better understand the epidemiology of this disease, we sourced isolates collected from patients with severe cases of dermatophytosis (identified either by internal transcribed spacer sequencing or phenotypic characterisation) in the UK, Ireland, France, Canada, and India for the period 2014-23, including the T indotineae type strain from Japan. We used whole-genome sequencing to confirm 90 isolates were T indotineae, and antifungal susceptibility testing to assess susceptibility to terbinafine. FINDINGS: 103 cases of severe dermatophytosis caused by Trichophyton species collected between 2018 and 2023 in the UK, France, Canada, Ireland, and India were included in this study. Susceptibility testing indicated that 63 (70%) of 90 T indotineae isolates were resistant to terbinafine (minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] ≥0·5 mg/L). Pairwise genetic distances showed very high identity with only 147 (range 1-414) single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) separating isolates that were nested within a monophyletic phylogeny, supporting a single evolutionary origin of T indotineae. Genome-wide analyses identified multiple non-synonymous SNPs in SQLE (ERG1), the squalene epoxidase target of terbinafine, that were associated with terbinafine in vitro resistance of 0·5 mg/L or higher. However, six isolates exhibited high MIC values without SQLE mutations, suggesting the presence of alternative resistance mechanisms. INTERPRETATION: That no clear geographical clustering of isolates was observed confirms the rapid transcontinental spread of T indotineae from its likely centre of diversity in Asia. Our findings highlight the importance of better genomic surveillance to understand and manage this severe and rapidly emerging terbinafine-resistant dermatophyte. FUNDING: None.

Terbinafine↗
PubMed2026

First draft genome sequence of the emerging sexually transmitted dermatophyte Trichophyton mentagrophytes genotype VII.

Trichophyton mentagrophytes ITS-genotype VII (TMVII) is a globally emerging sexually transmitted dermatophyte causing severe skin infections characterised by painful, pustular lesions on the face, public area, genitalia, and trunk. To inform the prevention efforts, we present the first draft genomes of four TMVII isolates obtained from patients in the United Kingdom diagnosed between 2021 and 2025. We performed whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis based on single-nucleotide polymorphisms. We analysed the genetic relatedness of four TMVII isolates collected from UK patients, two had travel links to Spain and the Middle East. Two further isolates, including T. mentagrophytes ITS-genotype I/II obtained from a canine infection in the United Kingdom in 2025 and Trichophyton indotineae were sequenced for contextual analysis. We confirm that the TMVII strains studied here represent a highly clonal population, distinct from both zoophilic T. mentagrophytes genotype I/II and anthropophilic T. indotineae.

Humans↗
PubMed1977

[Pityriasis versicolor in Greece and its predisposition factors].

The age and seasonal incidence of 2610 patients with pityriasis versicolor in Greece were studied. Determination of the pH of Na and K ions of the sweat and the microbiol flora of the skin of pityriasis versicolor patients was undertaken. Besides these the effectiveness of a 1% selenium disulfid suspension was tested. The results indicate that the age groups of 20-29 and 30-30 years are mostly affected by the disease. A high incidence of the skin manifestation was noted during the summer and fall months. A difference of the pH of the sweat between pityriasis versicolor and healthy controls was observed, but no difference was found in the Na and K ions of the sweat among these two groups. Neither did the microbial flora from the skin lesions of patients and from corresponding sites of controls show any difference. The high relapse in this experiment indicates the relative ineffectiveness of selenium disulfid preparations when used as a 1% suspension in the treatment of pityriasis versicolor.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Serum-albumin agar used as slant for the differentiation between Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes: specific reg pigmentation of T. rubrum.

Trichophyton rubrum strains freshly isolated from clinical material exhibited red pigment formation within 7 days at 26 degrees C on slant serum-albumin agar, initial pH 7.0. In Trichophyton mentagrophytes strains this phenomenon could not be observed. Since in the case of T. rubrum, yellow pigmentation will appear at an initial pH of 5.0, the use of initial pH values of 7.0 and 5.0 is recommended for diagnostic application of slant serum-albumin agar.

Agar↗
PubMed1979

Effects of deferoxamine methanesulfonate on Trichophyton mentagrophytes.

Deferoxamine methanesulfonate (Desferal), an iron chelator, inhibited germ tube formation and growth of Trichophyton mentagrophytes in a microculture assay. A 50% reduction of germ tube formation required Desferal at 5 mg/ml and a 50% reduction of growth required 1.5 mg/ml. Growth was almost completely inhibited with 50 and 100 mg/ml. Also, Desferal at 100 mg/ml inhibited further elongation when added to short hyphae (II and 21 micrometer), but showed less inhibitory effects when added to long hyphae (64 micrometer). Iron (133 microgram/ml) reversed the inhibition of growth produced by incubating spores with Desferal at 5 mg/ml, providing iron was added before 72 h incubation. Desferal at 100 mg/ml decreased viability of activated spores incubated for 3 days at 30 degrees C, but did not decrease viability of spores incubated for 3 days at 4 degrees C. The growth inhibitory effect of Desferal and transferrin were compared. Transferrin was inhibitory at low molarities (0.001 to 1.0 mM), while Desferal was inhibitory only at higher molarities (greater than 1 mM). Desferal (0.05 mM) also reversed the inhibition expected with 0.05 mM transferrin. These findings indicate that Desferal and transferrin deprive T. mentagrophytes of nutritional iron and thus inhibit growth of the fungus. Low concentrations of Desferal can also promote growth in the presence of transferrin.

Deferoxamine↗