6225 Fungal Infections: A Review of Key Pathogens, Etiology, Prevention and Treatment Options

Dave Brett, BS, BS, MS, Smith & Nephew, Science & Technology Manager, St. Petersburg, FL
The skin is the largest organ of the body and protects against trauma due to its inherent elasticity.  It is the 1st line of defense against invading pathogens and reduces the loss of water to external environment.  Maintaining skin integrity is key to the health of a patient in preventing wound formation. Fungal infections present a unique challenge to the clinician in preventing damage to the skin of the patient.  A fungus is a eukaryotic organism that digests its food externally and absorbs the nutrient molecules into its cells. Fungi are responsible for numerous diseases.  A dermatophyte is a parasitic fungus upon the skin. Dermatophytes are transmitted by direct contact with infected host (human or animal) or by direct or indirect contact with infected exfoliated skin or hair in clothing, hair brushes, furniture, bed linens, towels, rugs, etc. At the beginning of this century the compounds used in the treatment of superficial fungal infections had nonspecific spectrums of activity with minimal effectiveness.  There were no systemic antifungal agents.  Today there is a wide range of more effective and less cytotoxic topical agents as well as systemic treatments.  These agents are active against a wide rang of fungal pathogens including Tinea pedis, Tinea cruris, Tinea corporis and Candida species. The purpose of this review is to supply the clinician with valuable information on key fungal pathogens (with pictorial guides for recognition), etiology, prevention and treatment options & clinical evidence of efficacy of certain topical applicatons.  It is hoped that this review will provide clinically relevant insights into various aspects of fungal infections.  As a result, the clinician will have a broader understanding of fungal infections in terms of prevention, pathogens, etiology and treatment that could result in a benefit to the patient.