Epidermophyton

Fungal skin infections are primarily caused by dermatophytes such as Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton. Trichophyton rubrum accounts for more than 75% of all cases in the United States.36 To a lesser extent, Candida and other fungal species cause skin infections. With tinea infections, the causative dermatophyte typically invades the stratum corneum without penetration into the living tissues, leading to a localized infection. 

Topical azole derivatives include the imidazoles bifonazole, clotrimazole, econazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, oxiconazole, lanoconazole, flutrima-zole and sertaconazole. These drugs show activity against the dermatophytes Epidermophyton, Mi-crosporum and Trichophyton. They are also effective against the yeasts Candida albicans and Pityrospo-rum orbiculare. Local side effects include pruritus, erythema and local irritation. Allergic dermatitis is rare. 

Superflcial mycoses are usually clinically evident (some will fluoresce when using a Wood s lamp) and can be confirmed by microscopy (using KOH solution) and culture of hairs, nails or scrapings from the edge of skin lesions. Species of Microsporum, Trichophyton, Epidermophyton (all moulds), and of Malassezia, Candida, Pityrospo-rum (all yeasts) cause most superflcial infections. Subcutaneous mycoses are caused by Sporothrix... 

Antifungal activity. Hot water extract of the dried leaf, in hroth culture, was inactive on Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum canis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. algondonosa, and Trichophyton mentagro ... 

It is isolated from Penkillium griseofulvium. It is active against Epidermophyton, Trichophyton and Microsporum causing superficial infection or dermatophytosis. 

The topical imidazoles, which currently include clotrimazole, econazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, oxiconazole, sulconazole, and sertaconazole, have a wide range of activity against dermatophytes (epidermophyton, microsporum, and trichophyton) and yeasts, including Candida albicans and Pityrosporum orbiculare (see Chapter 48). 

Tolnaftate is a synthetic antifungal compound that is effective topically against dermatophyte infections caused by epidermophyton, microsporum, and trichophyton. It is also active against P orbiculare but not against Candida. 

Ketoconazole is effective in the therapy of cutaneous infections caused by epidermophyton, microsporum, and trichophyton species. Infections of the glabrous skin often respond within 2-3 weeks to a once-daily oral dose of 200 mg. Palmar-plantar skin is slower to respond, often taking 4-6 weeks at a dosage of 200 mg twice daily. Infections of the hair and nails may take even longer before resolving, with low cure rates noted for tinea capitis. Tinea versicolor is responsive to short courses of a once-daily dose of 200 mg. 

Class Synthetic broad-spectrum antifungal agent with clinical activity against Blastomyces derrnatitidis. Candida specks, Coccidioides immitis, Histoplasma capsulatum, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Phialophora species, Trichophyton species, Epidermophyton specks, and Microsporum species... 

Candida albicans 67/846 Epidermophyton Kaufmann-Wolf 41 Tricho- phyton gypseum 4/3 Staphylococcus aureus (haemolyticus) 209 Bact. mycoides 537... 

Griseofulvin (Fulvicin and Grisactin) is a fungistatic effective against various dermatophytes, including Microsporum, Epidermophyton, and Trichophyton, that produce diseases of the skin, hair, and nails. It exerts its effect by inhibiting fungal mitosis. 

Antifungal spectrum The drug is principally fungistatic. It is effective only against the dermatophytes—Trichophyton. Microsporum. and Epidermophyton. It is used in the treatment of severe tinea infections that do not respond to other antifungal agents. 

Wedelia paludosa DC., a traditionally-used native Brazilian medicinal plant, showed antifungal activity against dermatophytes in dilution tests [205]. The hexane, dichloromethane and butanol extracts displayed activity against Epidermophyton jloccosum. Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes with MIC values between 250... 

The antimicrobial activity of luteolin. Fig. (35), a flavonoid isolated from Wedelia paludosa was also evaluated [205]. The compound showed activity towards the dermatophytes Epidermophyton floccosum. Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. 

Other antimicrobial phenolic compounds from the Anthemideae tribe are coumarins, which are derivatives of benzo-a-pyrone. Feresin et al. [199] isolated eight / -coumaric acid derivatives from the Argentinian medicinal plant Baccharis grisebachii. Two of them, 3-prenyl-/ -coumaric acid, Fig. (38) and 3,5-diprenyl-p-coumaric acid were active towards Epidermophyton floccosum and Trichophyton rubrum, with MIC values of 50 and 100-125 ig/ml, respectively. 

Dermatophyte is the term applied to a range of fungi capable of colonizing the skin, nails or hair. The principal dermatophytic fungi are Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophyton species. The most commonly encountered dermatophytic infections are athlete s foot (infection of the foot) and ringworm (fungal infection of the scalp or skin). 

Kava has been used traditionally as an antibacterial agent in the treatment of urinary tract infections (28) however, no clinical trials have established its efficacy. Locher et al. investigated antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal activity of extracts of Kava leaves, stems, and roots. They concluded that P. methysticum exerted no antiviral or antibacterial activity, although weak antifungal activity against Epidermophyton fluccosum was demonstrated by extracts made from the stems of the plant. 

Garlic has in vitro antifungal effects against Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida spp., Trichophyton, Epidermophyton, Microsporum, Aspergillus spp., and Mucor pusillus (40). When five volunteers consumed 10-25 mL of fresh garlic extract, urine samples had antifungal activity, but susceptibility from serum samples dropped significantly (42). 

Tolnaftate is a synthetic antifungal agent with a narrow spectrum of activity which is limited to dermatophytes (Epidermophyton, Microsporum and Trichophyton spp.). It could be used to treat mild localized dermatophytic infection. For topical application to dogs, tolnaftate is formulated as a 1% cream containing both polyethylene glycol and propylene glycol. The powder aerosol preparation is less likely to be effective for treatment, but could be applied to prevent spread of the infection. 

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