Fungi on the Skin: Dermatophytes and Malassezia

Abstract

Several human skin diseases and disorders are associated with two groups of fungi, the dermatophytes and Malassezia. Although these skin-related problems are not generally life threatening, they are among the most common diseases and disorders of mankind. These fungi are phylogenetically divergent, with the dermatophytes within the Ascomycota and Malassezia within Basidiomycota. Genome analysis indicates that the adaptations to the skin environment are different in these two groups of fungi. Malassezia are dependent on host lipids and secrete lipases and phospholipases that likely release host fatty acids. The dermatophytes encode multiple enzymes with potential roles in modulating host interactions: polyketide synthases, nonribosomal peptide synthetases, LysM, proteases, kinases, and pseudokinases. These two fungal groups have maximized their interactions with the host using two very different mechanisms.

Xanthomegnin detection does not discriminate between Trichophyton rubrum and T. mentagrophytes complexes

“…Similar to most other anthropophiles, T. rubrum s. str. is typically associated with chronic long-term, but limited, disease and tissue destruction (White et al, 2014). Therefore, medical mycologists have focused on developing rapid and reliable methods to identify this human fungal pathogen.…”

IgE in the diagnosis and treatment of allergic disease

“…66,67 Furthermore, patients with severe atopic dermatitis often have IgE specific for foods, bacterial antigens, and also fungi, particularly yeasts, such as Pityrosporum ovale . 68,69 During the last 15 years, the evidence for sensitization through the skin has become much clearer. In relation to peanut allergy, it is well established that sensitization correlates with eczema and that use of topical treatments that incorporate peanut proteins increases the risk of sensitization.…”

Diverse Human Skin Fungal Communities in Children Converge in Adulthood

“…Although bacteria often predominate in the ‘skin microbiome’ and have been the major focus of most studies (Grice and Segre, 2011; Oh et al, 2014), understanding the fungal communities - mycobiome - on skin is also important given the close association of commensal and pathogenic fungi, e.g. Malassezia, Candida , and dermatophytes, with various skin disorders, such as seborrheic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, and dermatophytosis (Gaitanis et al, 2012; Gupta et al, 2004; Havlickova et al, 2008; Seebacher et al, 2008; White et al, 2014). However, in contrast to bacterial communities, less is known about the structure and dynamics of the skin mycobiome in health and disease.…”