Fungal Infections of the Skin: Infection Process and Antimycotic Therapy

Dermatomycoses are among the most widespread and common superficial and cutaneous fungal infections in humans. These typically nonfatal conditions are difficult to treat, especially infections of the nail. Dermatomycoses are caused by filamentous fungi such as Trichophyton, Microsporum or Epidermophyton species. These filamentous fungi have a high affinity for keratin, an important component of hair, skin and nails, which are the primary areas of infection by dermatophytes. The antifungal agents currently marketed for dermatomycoses are mainly inhibitors of ergosterol biosynthesis, except for griseofulvin, which interferes with the cytoplasmic and nuclear microtubular system. Three different types of inhibitors of the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway have been proven to be effective in clinic: the azoles (e.g. topical miconazole and topical/oral ketoconazole, itraconazole and fluconazole), the allylamines (e.g. terbinafine) and morpholines (amorolfine). Even today more effective antifungal azoles with less adverse effects and short-term therapy are deemed necessary to treat dermatophytosis. A promising novel triazole compound in this respect is R126638, which showed potent in vitro and in vivo activity.