Fungal Infections

Abstract

Fungal infections are diseases affecting the skin and subcutaneous tissue. They include common conditions such as dermatophytosis or ringworm, Malassezia infection and superficial Candida infection. Subcutaneous fungal infections are now amongst the conditions classified as neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) or skin NTDs. Life‐threatening systemic mycoses which are internal infections can also affect the skin, often after blood stream dissemination. They are diagnosed by a combination of microscopy, histopathology and fungal culture, which is increasingly being replaced by molecular detection methods. There is also a wide range of antifungal agents available including griseofulvin, topical azole antifungals, itraconazole, fluconazole and the allylamine, terbinafine. Deeper infections are often treated with voriconazole, amphotericin B or echinocandin drugs, although there are increasing reports of antifungal drug resistance.