Disease: dermatophytosis

Would global warming bring an increase of invertebrate-associated cutaneous invasive fungal infections?

This paper discusses how invertebrate bites (from insects, spiders, and other small creatures) can transmit dangerous fungal infections to humans by directly injecting fungi into the skin. These infections are rare but serious, often causing tissue death and requiring amputation. As global warming increases temperatures, insect populations will expand into new areas, become more aggressive, and fungi may adapt to survive at higher temperatures, potentially making these infections more common and dangerous in the future.

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Three cases of easy to be misdiagnosed tinea of vellus hair

This case report describes three patients (ages 2-24) who had skin infections caused by a fungus called Microsporum canis that initially was misdiagnosed as eczema or other simple skin conditions. The infections involved fine vellus hair and required prolonged combined treatment with both oral and topical antifungal medications to fully resolve. The key lesson is that proper fungal testing and extended treatment similar to scalp ringworm protocols are necessary for treating these easily-missed infections.

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Dermatophytosis in a Chilean fox: first case of Nannizzia gypsea in Lycalopex griseus and the need for a one health approach

A young wild Chilean fox was found with a skin infection caused by a fungus called Nannizzia gypsea, which lives in soil and can infect animals and humans. This is the first time this fungus has been documented in foxes anywhere. Doctors treated the fox with an antifungal cream and it recovered completely. The case highlights how increasing urbanization and contact between domestic pets, wild animals, and humans can spread fungal diseases, emphasizing the need for a coordinated public health approach.

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Addressing Critical Fungal Pathogens Under a One Health Perspective: Key Insights from the Portuguese Association of Medical Mycology

Four dangerous fungal species pose growing threats to human health worldwide, especially for people with weakened immune systems. Portugal’s medical experts have reviewed the current situation, finding these fungi increasingly resistant to treatment, present in hospitals and the environment, and occasionally spreading from animals to people. The review emphasizes the need for better testing, coordinated tracking systems, and approaches that consider human, animal, and environmental health together to combat this emerging crisis.

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Bacterial–Fungal Interactions: Mutualism, Antagonism, and Competition

Bacteria and fungi in animal bodies interact in three main ways: they help each other (mutualism), fight each other (antagonism), or compete for resources. These interactions happen in the gut, rumen, and skin of animals. Understanding how to balance these relationships can help create better probiotics and natural alternatives to antibiotics for treating infections and improving animal health.

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Severe tinea faciei mimicking favus-like lesions linked to rabbit exposure: A case report

A young girl developed facial rashes after getting a pet rabbit and was initially treated for eczema, but her condition worsened. Tests revealed she and her rabbit both had a fungal infection caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes. The infection was successfully treated with oral antifungal medication. This case highlights how pet contact can transmit fungal infections to children and the importance of proper diagnosis before starting treatment.

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Humans vs. Fungi: An Overview of Fungal Pathogens against Humans

Fungal infections are serious health threats that kill approximately 1.5 million people annually worldwide. This comprehensive review identifies over 280 different fungal species that can infect humans, with Aspergillus being the most dangerous genus. The study provides updated information on how these infections are diagnosed through various methods including cultures, microscopy, and molecular testing, as well as treatment options ranging from traditional antifungal drugs to newer therapies like nanotechnology-based formulations.

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Wildlife Dermatophytoses in Central Italy (Umbria and Marche Regions): A Fifteen-Year Investigation (2010–2024)

Researchers studied fungal skin infections in wild animals across two Italian regions over 15 years, finding that about 11% carried dermatophyte fungi. Grey squirrels were most commonly infected, and some of these fungi can spread to humans through contact. The study highlights how wild animals act as sentinels for emerging diseases and emphasizes the importance of protective equipment when handling wildlife.

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Identification of Challenging Dermatophyte Species Using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

This study shows that a specialized technique called MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry can quickly and accurately identify skin fungal infections caused by dermatophytes. By creating a library of local fungal strains from Taiwan and combining it with commercial databases, researchers achieved over 90% accuracy in identifying different dermatophyte species. This practical method could help doctors diagnose fungal infections faster and choose better treatments.

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Clinical Mycology Today: Emerging Challenges and Opportunities

Fungal infections are becoming more common because of new medical treatments that suppress immune function, and some fungi are developing resistance to standard medications. However, exciting new antifungal drugs are in development that work in different ways and may be easier to use. The article discusses how doctors need better ways to identify patients at risk, design better clinical trials, and train more specialists to handle these increasingly complex fungal infections.

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