Dermatophytic fungi

Dermatophytic fungi are a specialized group of keratinophilic filamentous fungi, primarily from the genera Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton, that cause superficial infections of the skin, hair, and nails (StatPearls, 2023). These organisms are unique in their ability to digest keratin as a nutrient source, leading to clinical conditions collectively known as tinea or ringworm (CDC, 2022). While the term refers to a group of pathogens rather than a single molecular target, pharmacological intervention focuses on disrupting essential fungal processes, most notably the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway (NIH, 2021). Drugs such as terbinafine inhibit the enzyme squalene epoxidase, while azole antifungals like itraconazole target lanosterol 14-alpha-demethylase, both of which are critical for maintaining fungal cell membrane integrity (PubMed, 2020). Effective management often requires prolonged treatment, particularly for nail infections (onychomycosis), and is increasingly challenged by the global rise of antifungal resistance (Journal of Fungi, 2021).

Other names

DermatophytesKeratinophilic fungiRingworm fungiTinea fungi

Inhibition of squalene epoxidase (allylamines); Inhibition of lanosterol 14-alpha-demethylase (azoles); Inhibition of microtubule assembly (griseofulvin); Inhibition of leucyl-tRNA synthetase (tavaborole); Disruption of transmembrane transport (ciclopirox)