The Rise of Antifungal-Resistant Dermatophyte Infections: What Dermatologists Need to Know

Abstract

The landscape of dermatophytosis is changing rapidly due to the global emergence of severe dermatophyte infections that frequently are resistant to first-line antifungal medications. We aimed to review the epidemiology of emerging dermatophyte infections and provide dermatologists with information needed for effective diagnosis and management. We emphasize the importance of proper diagnosis using mycological confirmation and judicious antifungal prescribing, and we review resources for obtaining laboratory testing to confirm the diagnosis of dermatophytosis caused by emerging species.

FIGURE 1.

A-C, Erythematous scaly plaques on the neck, back, abdomen, and buttocks of 2 different patients with the first reported cases of tinea infection caused by Trichophyton indotineae in the United States. Images courtesy of Lu Yin, MD/The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York.

FIGURE 2.

A-C, Erythematous scaly patches on the right arm, trunk, and genital region in a patient with Trichophyton mentagrophytes genotype VII infection. Images courtesy Avrom S. Caplan, MD/The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York.