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The Journal of the Japanese Society for Clinical Microbiology |
Biblioraphy Information
| ArticleTitle |
The Current Status of Tinea (Ringworm) and the Progress of Research on Pathogenesis of Dermatophytes |
| Language |
J |
| AuthorList |
Tsuyoshi Yamada1), Koichi Makimura1,2) |
| Affiliation |
1) Teikyo University Institute of Medical Mycology
2) Faculty of Medicine, Teikyo University |
| Publication |
J.J.C.M.: 21 (1), 1-10, 2011 |
| Received |
February 7, 2011 |
| Accepted |
|
| Abstract |
In this review, the current problems of high prevalence of tinea (dermatophytosis) was discussed and the recent progress in molecular biological approach on pathogenesis of dermatophytes and their diagnosis was summarized. Tinea pedis (athlete's foot) is highly common disease not only in elder persons but also a type of sportsmen. For recent 10 years, tinea caused from Trichophytn tonsurans infection has widely spread in athletes playing various types of combative sports in Japan. The dermatophytes commonly gain access to the host via keratinized structures, such as skin, hair or nails, cornified tissues that form solid structural barriers against their invasion. Therefore, secreted enzymes such as keratinolytic proteases (keratinases) have been investigated extensively as candidates for virulence-related factors. Nevertheless, the mechanisms of host invasion by dermatophytes are still poorly understood. One important reason for this is a lack of gene manipulation techniques for dermatophytes, as compared with other well-known fungal pathogens. To overcome this limitation, we have developed efficient genetic manipulation systems. They have provided us with powerful tools for evaluating gene functions. We believe that development of such molecular biological techniques will make significant contributions to our understanding of tinea in the future. |
| Keywords |
tinea (ringworm), dermatophytes, Trichophyton, keratinocyte, molecular biology |
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