Connect Sign InEmerging Dermatophytes
Dermatophytes are fungi that are adapted to colonize and degrade keratin, leading to infection of the skin, nails and hair. Dermatophytes comprise species belonging to the Trichophyton, Epidermophyton, Microsporum, and Nannizzia genera, among others, with Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton interdigitale currently recognized as the most common globally. Over the past decade there has been an increase in reporting of terbinafine resistant dermatophytes, including T. rubrum, T. interdigitale, and now the emergence and global expansion of a newly designated species, Trichophyton indotineae, which is associated with severe recalcitrant infections. In addition, one genotype of T. mentagrophytes (genotype VII) is emerging with transmission predominantly via sexual activity. In this presentation, I will discuss the current state of diagnostics, epidemiology, resistance and treatment.
Dr. Sarah Kidd is the Head of the National Mycology Reference Centre at SA Pathology, in Adelaide, Australia, and an adjunct associate professor in the School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide. She completed her PhD in medical mycology at the University of Sydney, before undertaking postdoctoral research at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, and then at Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. Dr. Kidd is a fellow of the European Confederation of Medical Mycology (FECMM) and of the Australian Society for Microbiology (FASM). She coordinates the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia Mycology Quality Assurance Program, convenes a biennial mycology masterclass in Australia, and manages the Mycology Online website. Her research interests include the epidemiology, antifungal susceptibilities, and nomenclature of clinically important fungi.
