The British journal of dermatology
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Dermatophytes are the main cause of superficial mycoses in humans and animals. Molecular research has given useful insights into the phylogeny and taxonomy of the dermatophytes to overcome the difficulties with conventional diagnostics. ⋯ Signature polymorphisms were observed to be useful for the differentiation of these strains and epidemiological data showed a host specificity among zoophilic strains of T. interdigitale/Arthroderma vanbreuseghemii compared with A. benhamiae as well as characteristic clinical pictures in humans when caused by zoophilic or anthropophilic strains. The delineation is relevant because it helps in determining the correct treatment and provides clues regarding the source of the infection.