Clinical Forms of Dermatophytes

1. Tinea Site of lesions: Most commonly isolated Manifestations:

capitis Scalp organisms:
Endothrix T. tonsurans & T. violaceum
presence of Epidemic tinea capitis endothrix type of
arthroconidia T. tonsurans, M. invasion; circular scaly
within hair shaft audouinii (most patches of alopecia;
but without important), T. stubs of hair remain in
destruction of violaceum the epidermis of the
cuticle scalp after the brittle
Ectothrix Non-epidemic tinea capitis hairs have broken off
presence of M. canis, T. and give the typical
arthroconidia verrucosum, M. black dot ringworm
around or on the gypseum appearance
surface of the hair T. verrucosum
shaft with lesions are deep, pustular
destruction of and inflammatory;
cuticle endothrix and ectothrix
type of invasion; may
induce a severe combined
inflammatory and
hypersensitivity reaction
called a kerion

Microsporum spp. (M.

audouinii & M. ferrugineum)
ectothrix type of invasion
Gray-patched ringworm
that is a common
childhood disease; the
fungus colonizes the
outer portion of the hair;
1. Tinea Site of lesions: Commonly isolated Manifestations:
barbae bearded area of organisms: T. rubrum Mild superficial
face and neck and T. verrucosum edematous, erythematous
lesions are seldom
lesions
inflamed, but luster and
Severe deep pusticular
color of the hair shaft
folliculitis
may be lost

2. Tinea Site of lesions: Commonly isolated fungi: Manifestations:

corporis arms, legs, torso T. rubrum, M. canis, T. Circular patches with
mentagrophytes advancing red, vesicular
border and central scaling
Pruritic

3. Tinea cruris Site of lesions: Commonly isolated fungi: Manifestations:

Genito-crural T. rubrum, Erythematous scaling lesion
folds T. mentagrophytes, E. in intertriginous area
floccosum Pruritic

4. Tinea pedis Site of lesions: Commonly isolated Manifestations:

feet particularly organisms: T. rubrum, Acute: itching, red vesicular
the toes, webs & T. mentagrophytes, E. lesions
soles floccosum Chronic: itching, scaling
2. Tinea Site of lesions Causative agent: T. fissures
Manifestations:
favosa Scalp & schoenleinii Formation of yellowish
torso cup-shaped crusts or
5. Tinea Site of lesions: Commonly isolated fungi: Manifestations:
scutulae
manus interdigital T. rubrum, Usually associated
Extensive withand
alopecia tinea
areas and palms T. mentagrophytes, E. pedis
scarring of the scalp
floccosum Hyperkeratotic
Mousy-odor (white
scalp flakes
or vesicular or
erythematous)

6. Tinea Site of lesions: Commonly isolated fungi: Manifestations:

unguium nails T. rubrum, Nails thickened or crumbling
T. mentagrophytes, E. distally
floccosum White patches on surface or
invasive infection beneath
nail plates
Usually associated with tinea