Epidemiology and Trends of Cutaneous Fungal Infections (2019–2022) in Israel: A Single Tertiary-Center Study

Cutaneous fungal infections predominantly caused by dermatophytes are a global concern. These infections vary widely by region, age, and body site, with recent shifts in the pathogen distribution. This study examines the distribution and trends of superficial fungal infections in a large tertiary ca...

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Main Authors: Eran Galili, Auriella Taieb, Avner Shemer, Gil Leor, Anna Lyakhovitsky, Aviv Barzilai, Sharon Baum
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Journal of Fungi
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/11/4/320
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author Eran Galili
Auriella Taieb
Avner Shemer
Gil Leor
Anna Lyakhovitsky
Aviv Barzilai
Sharon Baum
author_facet Eran Galili
Auriella Taieb
Avner Shemer
Gil Leor
Anna Lyakhovitsky
Aviv Barzilai
Sharon Baum
author_sort Eran Galili
collection DOAJ
description Cutaneous fungal infections predominantly caused by dermatophytes are a global concern. These infections vary widely by region, age, and body site, with recent shifts in the pathogen distribution. This study examines the distribution and trends of superficial fungal infections in a large tertiary care center in Israel from 2019 to 2022. A retrospective analysis of 2244 patients with suspected fungal infections was performed, utilizing PCR and fungal cultures for diagnosis. Confirmed fungal infections were present in 53.0% of cases. In adults, infections predominantly affected the nails and feet, while in children, the scalp and nails were the most involved sites. <i>Trichophyton rubrum</i> was the most common pathogen overall, but <i>T. tonsurans</i> was the leading cause of scalp, face, and neck infections, as well as tinea corporis in children. <i>T. tonsurans</i> incidence significantly increased in adults and became the most frequent agent of upper-body tinea corporis by 2022. These findings highlight a shift in pathogen distribution, with <i>T. tonsurans</i> emerging as the leading cause of upper-body skin infections, underscoring the need for targeted prevention strategies and further investigation of its transmission routes.
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series Journal of Fungi
spelling doaj-art-6de04ece4d424bb09b3e31cfcedc8e332025-08-20T02:28:32ZengMDPI AGJournal of Fungi2309-608X2025-04-0111432010.3390/jof11040320Epidemiology and Trends of Cutaneous Fungal Infections (2019–2022) in Israel: A Single Tertiary-Center StudyEran Galili0Auriella Taieb1Avner Shemer2Gil Leor3Anna Lyakhovitsky4Aviv Barzilai5Sharon Baum6Department of Dermatology, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan 52621, IsraelDepartment of Dermatology, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan 52621, IsraelDepartment of Dermatology, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan 52621, IsraelFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, IsraelDepartment of Dermatology, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan 52621, IsraelDepartment of Dermatology, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan 52621, IsraelDepartment of Dermatology, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan 52621, IsraelCutaneous fungal infections predominantly caused by dermatophytes are a global concern. These infections vary widely by region, age, and body site, with recent shifts in the pathogen distribution. This study examines the distribution and trends of superficial fungal infections in a large tertiary care center in Israel from 2019 to 2022. A retrospective analysis of 2244 patients with suspected fungal infections was performed, utilizing PCR and fungal cultures for diagnosis. Confirmed fungal infections were present in 53.0% of cases. In adults, infections predominantly affected the nails and feet, while in children, the scalp and nails were the most involved sites. <i>Trichophyton rubrum</i> was the most common pathogen overall, but <i>T. tonsurans</i> was the leading cause of scalp, face, and neck infections, as well as tinea corporis in children. <i>T. tonsurans</i> incidence significantly increased in adults and became the most frequent agent of upper-body tinea corporis by 2022. These findings highlight a shift in pathogen distribution, with <i>T. tonsurans</i> emerging as the leading cause of upper-body skin infections, underscoring the need for targeted prevention strategies and further investigation of its transmission routes.https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/11/4/320cutaneous fungal infectiondermatophytes<i>Trichophyton rubrum</i><i>Trichophyton tonsurans</i>
spellingShingle Eran Galili
Auriella Taieb
Avner Shemer
Gil Leor
Anna Lyakhovitsky
Aviv Barzilai
Sharon Baum
Epidemiology and Trends of Cutaneous Fungal Infections (2019–2022) in Israel: A Single Tertiary-Center Study
Journal of Fungi
cutaneous fungal infection
dermatophytes
<i>Trichophyton rubrum</i>
<i>Trichophyton tonsurans</i>
title Epidemiology and Trends of Cutaneous Fungal Infections (2019–2022) in Israel: A Single Tertiary-Center Study
title_full Epidemiology and Trends of Cutaneous Fungal Infections (2019–2022) in Israel: A Single Tertiary-Center Study
title_fullStr Epidemiology and Trends of Cutaneous Fungal Infections (2019–2022) in Israel: A Single Tertiary-Center Study
title_full_unstemmed Epidemiology and Trends of Cutaneous Fungal Infections (2019–2022) in Israel: A Single Tertiary-Center Study
title_short Epidemiology and Trends of Cutaneous Fungal Infections (2019–2022) in Israel: A Single Tertiary-Center Study
title_sort epidemiology and trends of cutaneous fungal infections 2019 2022 in israel a single tertiary center study
topic cutaneous fungal infection
dermatophytes
<i>Trichophyton rubrum</i>
<i>Trichophyton tonsurans</i>
url https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/11/4/320
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