Superficial Fungal Infections: Training of health workers at national and district levels on skin-NTDs

Superficial fungal infections, also known as dermatomycoses, are common infections that estimated to affect around 1 billion people worldwide. These infections most frequently affect the skin, hair, and nails of humans. They are caused by 3 main groups of fungi: dermatophytes, non-dermatophyte mold, and yeasts.

In most cases, the diagnosis can be found-based on clinical characteristics. Mycological examination may be necessary for a few cases before starting antifungal treatment. This course will explore the clinical features and diagnostic tools to help distinguish dermatomycoses from similar-appearing diseases. This course will also explore the standard treatment regimen for superficial fungal infections.

Lastly, we will discuss the rapidly emerging problem of antifungal resistance in dermatophytes and what can be done to mitigate its effects.

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• Name the most common pathogens responsible for superficial fungal infections.
• Describe the epidemiology and pathology of superficial fungal infections.
• Describe the clinical presentation and diagnosis of superficial fungal infections.
• Explain the therapeutic management plan for superficial fungal infections.
• Explain the importance of drug-resistance dermatophytes and how to mitigate its effects.