Challenges in the Management of Onychomycosis and Other Superficial Fungal Infections

Dear Colleagues,

Superficial fungal infections (dermatophytosis and tineas) are incredibly common globally, affecting up to 750 million persons in 2019. These infections disproportionately affect individuals living with co-morbidities as well as those living in underserved communities. Despite seeing these patients frequently in clinical practice, there remain ongoing challenges such as the lack of confirmatory testing, which risks misdiagnosis and empirical treatment practices that increase safety concerns. With an ever-changing global landscape, there is a pressing need to update the epidemiology of superficial fungal infections to inform healthcare providers of appropriate treatment selection.

Toenail fungus—also known as onychomycosis—represents a recalcitrant infection with a high risk of relapse, often necessitating extended treatments beyond one year. Although terbinafine has remained the most frequently prescribed antifungal medication for onychomycosis and other superficial fungal infections globally, its efficacy may be waning in view of the rise in antifungal resistance (e.g., terbinafine-resistant Trichophyton rubrum) as well as non-dermatophyte molds (e.g., Aspergillus and Fusarium). Recently, there has been renewed interests in the issue of antifungal resistance concerning the spread of a new dermatophytic pathogen with epidemic potential, Trichophyton indotineae.    

We welcome the submission of your valued work. Below is a list of potential, non-exhaustive topics:

1. Regional/global management practices: current challenges and future outlook;
2. Emerging pathogens and epidemiology;
3. Diagnostic methods: old and new;
4. Treatment and prevention strategies;
5. New perspectives in the biology of dermatophytic pathogens and host–pathogen interactions;
6. Antifungal resistance: prevalence, mechanisms and management.

Prof. Dr. Aditya K. Gupta
Guest Editor

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• dermatophytosis
• tinea
• superficial fungal infection
• onychomycosis
• antifungal agents
• antifungal resistance