Superficial and Cutaneous Mycoses, Epidemiology, Virulence, Susceptibility Profile to Antifungals and Their Infections: A Literature Review of the Last Twenty Years (Research Article)

Author(s): P. A. Pereira, E. S. Vieira, F. C. Charles, V. M. Giudice, C. G. S. Nascimento, J. S. Borges, L. P. R. Silva, G. S. Silva, S. K. Ferrão, L. Mezzomo, L. N. Calil, A. Mezzari*

Abstract: Introduction: Superficial and cutaneous mycoses or dermatomycoses affect keratinized tissues of humans and animals. They can be caused by dermatophyte fungi, non-dermatophytes and yeasts. Epidemiological studies indicate that superficial and cutaneous mycoses are among the fungal diseases with the highest incidence in the world, affecting all age groups and with high treatment costs. Among mycoses, dermatophytosis are the most common fungal infections in humans in the world, followed by candidiasis and pityriasis versicolor. Objective: This study aims to review the literature of the last 20 years (2000 to 2020) on the epidemiological studies of superficial and cutaneous mycoses, their etiological agents, as well as the susceptibility and resistance factors to antifungals used for their treatment. Method: A literature review was conducted in online databases. The selected studies showed data on the prevalence of species, the profile of patients, the most affected infection sites, the diagnostic method used and the susceptibility profile of some fungal species in relation to the most used antifungals. Results: Dermatophyte fungal species T. rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, T. tonsurans, M. canis and E. floccosum and non-dermatophytes, yeasts Candida spp. and Malassezia spp. were the most isolated in skin infections in several studies. The most prevalent sites of infection were skin, nail and hair. The antifungals tested against the most prevalent pathogens were ketoconazole, fluconazole, cyclopirox and terbinafine. Conclusion: The results obtained in this study point to T. rubrum as the most isolated species in skin infections. Terbinafine was the drug that presented the highest efficacy.

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