Deep dermatophytosis explained

Synonyms:	Disseminated granulomatous dermatophytosis
Field:	Dermatology

Deep dermatophytosis is a rare condition in which dermatophytes invades the deep dermis, subcutis or even internal organs. The known causes of this condition are caused by primary or secondary immunodeficiency, which includes organ transplant recipients, malignant conditions e.g. leukemia, HIV infection. It is also associated with asthma, atopic dermatitis and diabetes.

It has been shown that deficiency in the NF-κB signaling pathways, the nonsense mutation of CARD9-complex (caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 9), are susceptible to chronic fungal infection and deep dermatophytosis.^{[1] [2]}

Further reading

• Chastain MA, et al. Deep dermatophytosis: report of 2 cases and review of the literature. Cutis 2001;67:457.
• Hay RJ, Baran R. Deep dermatophytosis: rare infections or common, but unrecognized, complications of lymphatic spread? Current Opinion in Infectious Diseaases. 2004;17:77.

Notes and References

1. Lanternier F., et al. Deep dermatophytosis and inherited CARD9 deficiency. New England Journal of Medicine. 2013 Oct 31;369(18):1704-14.
2. Glocker EO, et al. A Homozygous CARD9 Mutation in a Family with Susceptibility to Fungal Infections. New England Journal of Medicine. 2009 October 29; 361(18): 1727–1735.