Dermatophytenspezies

Abstract

Taxonomy is an artificial system to classify living organisms. For this purpose, different concepts of how to define a species can be used. In recent years, DNA analysis has especially helped to better understand the phylogenetic relations of dermatophytes and thus influenced the distinction of dermatophyte species. In some cases species previously considered separate were made synonymous. It may be necessary to discriminate different varieties within a particular species if this is required by their typical morphologic, physiologic or epidemiological characteristics. Trichophyton eboreum with its perfect state Arthroderma olidum was recently described as a new species. The taxonomic order of dermatophytes must continuously be updated by integrating new findings; at the same time, meaningful and proven criteria should be retained.