Abstract

Dermatophytes have the ability to form molecular attachments to keratin and use it as a source of nutrients, colonizing keratinized tissues, including the stratum corneum of the skin. Malassezia species also affect the stratum corneum of the skin. Therefore, dermatophytosis and pityriasis versicolor of the skin are thought to be important factors of profound changes in skin barrier structure and function. We aimed to describe the changes in transepidermal water loss (TEWL), stratum corneum hydration, and skin pH in the lesions of the dermatophytosis and pityriasis versicolor. Thirty-six patients with dermatophytosis (14 with tinea cruris, 13 with tinea corporis and nine with tinea pedis or tinea manus) and 11 patients with pityriasis versicolor were included in this study. TEWL, stratum corneum conductance and skin pH were determined by biophysical methods to examine whether our patients exhibited changes in barrier function. Dermatophytosis and pityriasis versicolor except tinea pedis and tinea manus showed highly significant increase in TEWL compared with adjacent infection-free skin. Hydration was significantly reduced in lesional skin compared with adjacent infection-free skin. From this study, infections with dermatophytes and Malassezia species on the body can alter biophysical properties of the skin, especially the function of stratum corneum as a barrier to water loss. On the contrary, infections with dermatophytes on the palms and soles little affect the barrier function of the skin.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Lee WJ, Kim JY, Song CH, Jung HD, Lee SH, Lee SJ, Kim do W

Institution

Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea. weonju@knu.ac.kr

Source

The Journal of dermatology 38:11 2011 Nov pg 1049-53

MeSH

Adult
Body Water
Electric Conductivity
Female
Host-Pathogen Interactions
Humans
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Male
Middle Aged
Skin
Tinea
Tinea Versicolor

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

21950511