Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2020 Apr;33(2):130-136.
doi: 10.1097/QCO.0000000000000630.

Fungal infections of the skin and soft tissue

Sibel Dogan Gunaydin  1 , Sevtap Arikan-Akdagli  2 , Murat Akova  3
Affiliations
Review

Fungal infections of the skin and soft tissue

Sibel Dogan Gunaydin et al. Curr Opin Infect Dis. 2020 Apr.

Abstract

Purpose of review: This review aims to update on recent findings about epidemiology, risk factors and therapeutic options for fungi causing skin and soft tissue infections. The latest data on emerging antifungal resistance are also discussed.

Recent findings: In parallel with increased use of immunosuppression, the incidence of fungal infections is also on rise. This increase involves not only systemic infections but also infections with primary and secondary skin involvement. Antifungal resistance has become a major issue and covers several fungal pathogens including dermatophytes, Candida spp. and, Aspergillus fumigatus. Multidisciplinary usage of newly targeted, immunomodulatory therapies may predispose patients to have fungal infections through mimicking an immunosuppressed status caused by genetic factors or the disease itself. Nonimmunosupressed patients, although less frequently than those with immunosuppression may also be vulnerable.

Summary: Physicians should be aware about skin and soft tissue findings related with systemic or locally occuring mycosis. Emerging antifungal resistance may hamper the success of the treatment. Antifungal susceptibility testing is advisable wherever available and particularly when a disseminated fungal infection is present.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Maddy AJ, Sanchez N, Shukla BS, Maderal AD. Dermatological manifestations of fungal infection in patients with febrile neutropenia: a review of the literature. Mycoses 2019; 62:826–834.
    1. Noguchi H, Hiruma M, Matsumoto T, et al. Multiple subcutaneous Candida abscesses on the palm and finger in an immunocompetent patient. J Dermatol 2017; 44:e176–e177.
    1. Gassiep I, Douglas J, Playford EG. First report of monomicrobial Candida parapsilosis necrotizing fasciitis. Transpl Infect Dis 2016; 18:752–755.
    1. Kaufman DA, Coggins SA, Zanelli SA, Weitkamp JH. Congenital cutaneous candidiasis: prompt systemic treatment is associated with improved outcomes in neonates. Clin Infect Dis 2017; 64:1387–1395.
    1. Arendrup MC, Patterson TF. Multidrug-resistant Candida: epidemiology, molecular mechanisms, and treatment. J Infect Dis 2017; 216:S445–S451.

Substances