ABSTRACT
Dermatophytes are a group of closely related fi lamentous fungi that have the capacity to invade the keratinized tissue of skin, hair and nails in humans and animals. They produce superfi cial infections termed “dermatophytoses” (Crissey et al. 1995). In clinical dermatology, the terms “tinea” and “ringworm” are used for these infections. Dermatophytes are the most common causative pathogens responsible for fungal infections worldwide (Havlickova et al. 2008). The prevalence of these infections has been observed to be on the rise in recent decades. This is in part due to aging of the population, the changes in immune response that occur with age, an increased number of immunocompromised patients, HIV infected persons and those who have diabetes or other chronic diseases. Changes in lifestyle have also contributed to the rising incidences of these fungal infections. Human migration, mass tourism and international sports acitivities have contributed to the dissemination of dermatophyte species throughout different geographical areas (Havlickova et al. 2008). Increased urbanisation and ready access to communal sports and bathing facilities are also among the reasons responsible for the high prevalence of anthropophilic dermatophytes (Havlickova et al. 2008; Borman et al. 2007). Crowded living conditions provide multiple opportunities for interhuman contact. Living in close proximity to animals
Department of Dermatovenereology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Zaloška 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
