What is the Difference Between Dermatophytes and Non-dermatophytes

The key difference between dermatophytes and non-dermatophytes is that dermatophytes are a unique group of fungi that infect keratinous tissue in the hair, skin, and nails of a living host, while non-dermatophyte pathogens are fungi that reside in the soil, decay plant debris, or are considered uncommon or secondary pathogens, typically associated with pre-existing diseases like diseased nails.

Dermatophytes and non-dermatophytes are two types of fungi observed in the body. Dermatophytes use keratin as a nutrient source, whereas non-dermatophytes do not use keratin as a nutrient source.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What are Dermatophytes  
3. What are Non-dermatophytes
4. Similarities – Dermatophytes and Non-dermatophytes
5. Dermatophytes vs. Non-dermatophytes in Tabular Form
6. FAQ – Dermatophytes and Non-dermatophytes
7. Summary – Dermatophytes vs. Non-dermatophytes

What are Dermatophytes?

Dermatophytes cause infections called tinea. They can affect the skin, hair, and nails. The risk factors for these infections are decreased immune response, age, diabetic mellitus, poor circulation, and corticosteroids. Some of these diseases are tinea corporis (hair follicles), tinea capitis (scalp), tinea faciei (face), tinea barbae (hair follicles), tinea pedis (feet), tinea manuum (feet and hands), and tinea unguium (nails).

Dermatophyte infections can be diagnosed through direct microscopy performed with potassium hydroxide and Wood’s light examination using ultraviolet light. Furthermore, these infections can be treated through topical antifungals, such as clotrimazole, oral antifungal medications, such as griseofulvin or terbinafine, and chemical or surgical removal.

What are Non-dermatophytes?

Non-dermatophytes are fungi that are commonly found on the skin and typically do not cause skin infections. They have their natural habitat in the soil and plant debris. Non-dermatophytes do not use keratin as their nutrient source and use sugars to feed on.

However, some non-dermatophytes cause nail infections as secondary pathogens. Non-dermatophytes causing onychomycosis is one such example. The risk factors for non-dermatophytes onychomycosis are humid climate, occupational exposures, occlusive footwear, co-morbid conditions, diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, immune suppression, chronic conditions like psoriasis, hyperhidrosis, and local nail trauma. Non-dermatophytes onychomycosis can be diagnosed through direct microscopy and fungal culture. Furthermore, treatment options for non-dermatophytes onychomycosis may include itraconazole or terbinafine either as daily dosing or in a pulse regimen.

What are the Similarities Between Dermatophytes and Non-dermatophytes?

• Dermatophytes and non-dermatophytes are two types of fungi observed in the body.
• Both fungi types can cause diseases.
• Their infections can be identified through direct microscopy.
• Their infections can be treated through antifungals.

What is the Difference Between Dermatophytes and Non-dermatophytes?

Dermatophytes are a unique group of fungi that infect keratinous tissue in the hair, skin, and nails of a living host, while non-dermatophyte pathogens are fungi that reside in the soil, decay plant debris, or are considered uncommon or secondary pathogens, typically associated with pre-existing diseases like diseased nails. Thus, this is the key difference between dermatophytes and non-dermatophytes. Furthermore, dermatophytes use keratin as a nutrient source, while non-dermatophytes do not use keratin as a nutrient source.

The infographic below presents the differences between dermatophytes and non-dermatophytes in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

FAQ: Dermatophytes and Non-dermatophytes

What are examples of non-dermatophytes?

Some examples of non-dermatophytes are Aspergillus, Scopulariopsis sp., Neoscytalidium sp., Acremonium sp., Fusarium sp., and Onychocola sp.

What are examples of dermatophytes?

Some of the examples for dermatophytes are Trichophyton schoenleinii, Microsporum canis, Nannizzia persicolor and Nannizzia nana.

What are the three types of dermatophytes?

Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton are the three main genera of dermatophytes.

Summary – Dermatophytes vs. Non-dermatophytes

Dermatophytes are a unique group of fungi that infect keratinous tissue in the hair, skin, and nails of a living host, while non-dermatophyte pathogens are fungi that reside in the soil, decay plant debris, or are considered uncommon or secondary pathogens, typically associated with pre-existing diseases like diseased nails. Furthermore, dermatophytes use keratin as a nutrient source. On the other hand, non-dermatophytes do not use keratin as a nutrient source. So, this summarizes the difference between dermatophytes and non-dermatophytes.

Reference:

1. Weitzman, I, and R C Summerbell. “The Dermatophytes.” Clinical Microbiology Reviews, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
2. “Non-Dermatophyte Mould Onychomycosis.” DermNet.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Dermatomycosis – gms – high mag” By Nephron – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Aspergillus niger” By Kathie Hodge (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 DEED) via Flickr