Mycosis

Mycoses redirects here. For the journal, see Mycoses abnormalities. However, almost all people with this very
(journal).
common condition are healthy.
Mycosis (plural: mycoses) is a fungal infection of animals, including humans.[1] Mycoses are common and
a variety of environmental and physiological conditions
can contribute to the development of fungal diseases. Inhalation of fungal spores or localized colonization of the
skin may initiate persistent infections; therefore, mycoses
often start in the lungs or on the skin.[2]

2.2 Cutaneous mycoses

Cutaneous mycoses extend deeper into the epidermis,

and also include invasive hair and nail diseases. These
diseases are restricted to the keratinized layers of the
skin, hair, and nails. Unlike the supercial mycoses,
host immune responses may be evoked resulting in pathoFungal infections of the skin was the 4th most common logic changes expressed in the deeper layers of the
disease in 2010 aecting 984 million people.[3]
skin. The organisms that cause these diseases are called
dermatophytes. The resulting diseases are often called
ringworm (even though there is no worm involved) or
tinea. Cutaneous mycoses are caused by Microsporum,
1 Causes
Trichophyton, and Epidermophyton fungi, which together
comprise 41 species.
Antibiotics are a risk factor for fungal infections.[4]
One common disease is the athletes foot which most
Individuals with weakened immune systems are also at commonly aects children before puberty. It is divided
risk of developing fungal infections. This is the case of in three categories: chronic interdigital athletes foot,
people with HIV/AIDS, people under steroid treatments, chronic scaly athletes foot, and acute vesicular athletes
and people taking chemotherapy. People with diabetes foot.[9]
also tend to develop fungal infections.[5] Very young and
very old people, also, are groups at risk.[6] However everybody risks to develop fungal infections the probability 2.3 Subcutaneous mycoses
is just higher in the previous cases.
Subcutaneous mycoses involve the dermis, subcutaneous
tissues, muscle and fascia. These infections are chronic
and can be initiated by piercing trauma to the skin which
2 Classication
allows the fungi to enter. These infections are dicult
to treat and may require surgical interventions such as
Mycoses are classied according to the tissue levels ini- debridement.
tially colonized.

2.1

2.4 Systemic mycoses due to primary

pathogens

Supercial mycoses

Supercial mycoses are limited to the outermost layers of Systemic mycoses due to primary pathogens originate
the skin and hair.[7]
primarily in the lungs and may spread to many organ sysAn example of such a fungal infection is Tinea versi- tems. Organisms that cause systemic mycoses are inhercolor, a fungus infection that commonly aects the skin ently virulent. In general primary pathogens that cause
of young people, especially the chest, back, and upper systemic mycoses are dimorphic.
arms and legs. Tinea versicolor is caused by a fungus that
lives in the skin of some adults. It does not usually affect the face. This fungus produces spots that are either 2.5 Systemic mycoses due to opportunistic
pathogens
lighter than the skin or a reddish-brown.[8] This fungus
exists in two forms, one of them causing visible spots.
Factors that can cause the fungus to become more visi- Systemic mycoses due to opportunistic pathogens are inble include high humidity, as well as immune or hormone fections of patients with immune deciencies who would
1

otherwise not be infected. Examples of immunocompromised conditions include AIDS, alteration of normal ora by antibiotics, immunosuppressive therapy, and
metastatic cancer. Examples of opportunistic mycoses
include Candidiasis, Cryptococcosis and Aspergillosis.

Prevention

Keeping the skin clean and dry, as well as maintaining

good hygiene, will help larger topical mycoses. Because
fungal infections are contagious, it is important to wash
after touching other people or animals. Sports clothing
should also be washed after use.

Treatment

Antifungal drugs are used to treat mycoses. Depending

on the nature of the infection, a topical or systemic agent
may be used.

EXTERNAL LINKS

[3] Hay, RJ; Johns, NE; Williams, HC; Bolliger, IW;

Dellavalle, RP; Margolis, DJ; Marks, R; Naldi, L; Weinstock, MA; Wulf, SK; Michaud, C; J L Murray, C;
Naghavi, M (Oct 28, 2013). The Global Burden
of Skin Disease in 2010: An Analysis of the Prevalence and Impact of Skin Conditions.. The Journal of Investigative Dermatology 134 (6): 152734.
doi:10.1038/jid.2013.446. PMID 24166134. Cite uses
deprecated parameter |coauthors= (help)
[4] Acute Care Surgery.
9781451153934.

2012.

p.

186.

ISBN

[5] Thrush in Men. NHS. Retrieved 2013-07-13.

[6] Fungal infections: Introduction. Retrieved May 26,
2010.
[7] Malcolm D. Richardson, David W. Warnock. Introduction. Fungal Infection: Diagnosis and Management. John
Wiley & Sons, 2012. p. 5.
[8] Tinea versicolor (PDF). Royal Berkshire NHS. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
[9] Athletes Foot. Retrieved May 26, 2010.

Example of antifungals include: uconazole which is [10] What is a mycosis? causes, symptoms and treatments.
the basis of many over-the-counter antifungal treatments.
Retrieved May 26, 2010.
Another example is amphotericin B which is more potent
and used in the treatment of the most severe fungal infec- [11] Therapy. Retrieved May 26, 2010.
tions that show resistance to other forms of treatment and [12] How Are Yeast Infections Treated?". Retrieved May 26,
it is administered intravenously.[10]
2010.
Drugs to treat skin infections are ketoconazole,
itraconazole, terbinane among others.[11]
Yeast infections in the vagina, caused by Candida albicans, can be treated with medicated suppositories such
as tioconazole and pessaries whereas skin yeast infections
are treated with medicated ointments.[12]

Epidemiology

Fungal infections of the skin were the 4th most common

skin disease in 2010 aecting 984 million people.[3]

See also
Pathogenic fungi
Fungal infection in plants#Fungi
Zygomycosis

References

[1] Dorlands Medical Dictionary:mycosis".

[2] What Is a Fungal Infection?". Retrieved May 26, 2010.

8 External links
Guide to Fungal Infections - Patient-oriented, educational website written by dermatologists.
Doctor Fungus - An educational website sponsored
through unrestricted educational grants by numerous
pharmaceutical companies

Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

9.1

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Mycosis Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mycosis?oldid=706920780 Contributors: Bueller 007, Darkwind, Julesd, FT2, John Vandenberg, Davidruben, Arcadian, Alansohn, Wtmitchell, GregorB, SCEhardt, Ttjoseph, Rjwilmsi, Dinosaurdarrell, FlaBot, Bgwhite, YurikBot, Peter G Werner, Nephron, Mysid, Bota47, Mike Dillon, Mattguard, Stur~enwiki, Uthbrian, Cybercobra, Acdx, Risssa, Beetstra, Hu12,
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