Mycosis: features of the treatment of fungal diseases
Mycoses are the collective name of a number of diseases, the causative agent of which are parasitic fungi. Mycoses can affect both the skin (dermatomycosis) and internal organs. In ICD-10, mycoses are listed in paragraphs B35-B49.
Some fungal diseases are peculiar only to humans, and there are also those that can be infected from animals. In general, the prevalence of mycoses is very wide: only according to official WHO statistics, about every fifth inhabitant of the planet1 faces a fungal disease. Given that many patients do not seek medical help for mycoses (or do not have the opportunity to visit a doctor), these statistics are obviously only the tip of the iceberg.
Varieties of mycoses
It is not possible to describe all the existing varieties of fungal diseases in one article, so we will highlight the main types of mycoses peculiar to humans.
Dermatophytia is a common name for fungal skin diseases caused by dermatophyte fungi of the Arthodermataceae family. In total, there are more than 40 types of dermatophytes, of which thirty are pathogens of fungal infections.
Onychomycosis is a disease affecting the nail plates. The causative agent of onychomycosis is, as a rule, fungi-dermatophytes. Since nails are derivatives of epithelium, onychomycosis is also a special case of dermatophytosis.
Candidiasis is a disease caused by fungi of the genus Candida. Another name for candidiasis is thrush. However, this term is usually used in relation to vaginal candidiasis, while the disease can also affect other organs (for example, the lungs).
Lichens are skin diseases with different etiologies. So, black lichen is caused by fungi of the genus Exophiala, and the causative agent of variegated (multicolored, bran-like) lichen is Malassezia furfur.
Black and white piedra are diseases affecting the hair. The causative agent of the first is considered to be Piedraia hortae, the second is caused by fungi of the species Trichosporon beigelii.
Sporotrichosis is a fungal disease affecting the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and in some cases mucous membranes and internal organs. The causative agent is fungi of the genus Sporotrichium.
Black tongue is a disease affecting the surface of the tongue. The name “black hairy tongue” is often found. In most cases, this disease is accompanied by candidiasis stomatitis.
Pathogenesis of fungal diseases
Of great importance in the occurrence of mycoses is a decrease in immunity. A number of fungi that cause such diseases, with a normal level of resistance of the body, may not manifest themselves in any way. For example, candidiasis is caused by excessively active reproduction of Candida albicans and/or the appearance of pathogenic strains of this species in the body.
At the same time, there are fungal infections caused by microorganisms that have entered the body from the outside: due to contact with a sick person or animal, from the soil or even the air. Mycoses are most often transmitted through direct contact, the use of personal belongings of an infected person or in public baths, swimming pools, gym locker rooms.
Symptoms and diagnosis of mycoses
The symptoms of fungal diseases depend on the specific disease, but pathologies of this kind are often accompanied by unpleasant sensations (itching, burning), modification of skin areas (peeling, the appearance of “scales”), plaque and secretions.
For diagnosis, a scraping of the affected area is usually taken, and then a laboratory study is carried out, which determines the type of pathogen and the exact diagnosis.
Treatment and prevention of mycoses
Treatment of fungal infections is reduced to the use of drugs with fungicidal and fungistatic functions. The first involves the destruction of the fungus cells themselves, the second – limiting their ability to reproduce. Medicines can have different forms, from ointments to tablets and suppositories.
