Mycology (study of fungi)

Question 1

What are dermatophytes?

Answer 1

Dermatophytes –> fungi that invade keratinised areas (hair, skin, nails)
They cause ‘Tinea infections’

Question 2

How are tinea (ringworm) infections classified?

Answer 2

Tinea infections are classified according to body site:
Tinea barbae and Tinea Capitis - scalp
Tinea pedis (athlete's foot) - feet
Tinea unguium (onychomycosis) - nails
Tinea corporis - smooth, hairless skin
Tinea cruris - crotch/groin area
Tinea manis - hands

Question 3

What is Tinea barbae?

Answer 3

fungal infection affecting skin, hair and hair follicles of beard and mustache; formerly referred to as ‘barber’s itch’ or ‘beard ringworm’

Question 4

Who discovered Tinea Barbae and when?

Answer 4

Gruby in 1842 - they named the gingus ‘mentagrophyte’ = plant of the chin, since the fungus would form a contiguous sheath arounf the hair

Question 5

How are dermatophyte (fungal) infections transmitted?

Answer 5

• human-human contact /(anthropophilic)
• soil (geophilic)
• infected animals (zoophilic)

Question 6

Tinea barbae is a dermatophyte (fungal) infection associated with which 3 organisms?

Answer 6

Trichophyton mentagrophytes
Trichophyton rubrum
Trichophyton verrucosum

Question 7

What is the risk factors for infection with tinea barbae?

Answer 7

• age
• steroid use
• immune issues
• diabetes mellitus
• occupation exposures to certain animals that carry certain fungi
• trauma

Question 8

How is tinea barbae diagnosed?

Answer 8

• skin scrapings of the kerion and visualise under a Wood’s lamp - fluorescence will be seen with Microsporum species

Question 9

What are the treatment options for tinea barbae?

Answer 9

azole-class drugs (ketoconazole, fluconazole, itraconazole)
terbinafine

Question 10

What effects do azoles have on LFTs?

Answer 10

all anti-fungal treatment (azoles) cause elevated levels of transaminases