studies on dermatophytic fungi in diabetes Mellitus patients

Abstract

Dermatophytes include three genera namely Trichophyton, Epidermophyton and Microsporum. These fungi are responsible for causing infections in the skin, hair and nails called dermatomycosis. (Tinea or ringworm infections). The ability of the newlinedermatophytes to invade the keratinized regions of the host is because of the possession of the unique enzymatic capacity keratinase. The disease process in dermatophytosis is unique for two reasons. Firstly no living tissues are invaded. Only the keratinised regions are colonised. However the presence of the fungus and its metabolic products usually induce an allergic and inflammatory response in the host.