Non-dermatophyte Dermatoses Mimicking Dermatophytoses in Humans

Abstract

Human dermatophytic cutaneous infections usually present as single or multiple slowly progressing annular erythemato-squamous lesions with a tendency to central healing on the hairless skin. In the intertriginous regions (feet, inguinal, axillar, submammary), dermatophytic colonisations and infections manifest as whitish, slightly hyperkeratotic, pruritic and sometimes fissurated lesions. On the scalp, dermatophytic infections commonly lead to single or multiple more or less inflammatory and alopecic lesions. On the plantar and palmar aspects of the feet and hand, dermatophytosis presents as an eczema-like chronic dermatosis. Abscess-like lesions may occur due to zoophilic dermatomycosis. Dermatophytic infections of the nails reveal ill-defined whitish-yellowish colorations of the distal end or the lateral aspects of the nails, sometimes combined with partial nail embrittlement or even complete destruction. Despite the ubiquity of dermatophytic skin infections and their usually highly typical clinical features, a differential diagnosis has to be considered, in particular when treatment is not efficient or when treatment resistance occurs. This review presents the differential diagnosis in terms of frequency as well as the diagnostic methods permitting the distinction of annular, intertriginous, alopecic, palmoplantar, abscess-like and onychodystrophic lesions.

Non‐dermatophyte fungi in onychomycosis—Epidemiology and consequences for clinical practice

“…The clinical manifestations of dermatophyte and non‐dermatophyte mycoses may be largely indistinguishable 8 . However, ND mould infections tend to be more commonly associated with periungual inflammation 9 .…”

Dermatophytes and Dermatophytoses: A Thematic Overview of State of the Art, and the Directions for Future Research and Developments

“…The appearance of the typical dermatophyte lesion on the skin might be mimicked by other, non-fungal etiologies. Libon and colleagues highlight the clinical and histopathological appearances of dermatophyte infections of hair and skin with a special focus on the intertriginous regions [10]. The lucid description is enhanced with many illustrative photographs from the affected patients.…”

“…The lucid description is enhanced with many illustrative photographs from the affected patients. Equally importantly, these experts go on to cover the differential diagnostic features and methods for the relevant skin lesions [10]. Pin presents a comprehensive overview of the clinical presentations of dermatophytoses in animals [11].…”