Dermatophyte (ringworm) infections

These fungi reproduce by spore formation. They invade and colonise the stratum corneum of the skin and keratinised tissues, e.g. hair and nails (Clayton, 2000) and induce inflammation by delayed hypersensitivity or by metabolic effects. They are classified by associating the Latin word for the body part they affect with the word tinea: thus tinea capitis (scalp ringworm), tinea corporis (ringworm on the body), tinea pedis (ringworm of the foot) and tinea cruris (ringworm of the groin and upper thighs), tinea unguium (ringworm of nail plate).

They are caused by three groups of fungal organisms: Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophyton. These organisms can also be distinguished as anthrophilic if they prefer ‘living on’ human bodies or zoophilic if associated with animals. Zoophilic organisms will also live on humans (Clayton, 2000).