ABSTRACT
Fungal infection of the keratinized tissues of the body (tinea or ringworm) is attributed to colonization and subsequent invasion by any one of a number of dermatophyte species. These hyaline molds, which are contracted from species-specific environmental sources, involve hair, skin, and nail. Yeasts and nondermatophytic molds may cause similar mycoses. On occasion these later organisms may be secondary invaders to the primary tineal process. Unlike the opportunistic mycoses caused by saprophytic molds, dissemination of dermatophyte infections in the immunocompromised patients is rarely observed. Antifungal therapy must be designed to impact on all organisms thought to be responsible for the mycosis.
