Karen Pendergrass, Standards Team

Cold atmospheric plasma significantly inhibited T. rubrum and M. canis growth in vitro, matching the efficacy of ciclopirox olamine. Daily 10-minute CAP treatments proved most effective, acting through ROS/RNS mechanisms, offering a promising contact-free alternative to systemic or topical antifungals.

Ciclopirox and its salt form exhibit broad-spectrum antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory activity via iron chelation and enzyme inhibition. With low resistance potential, they outperform many azoles and show promise in oncology, virology, and neuroinflammation, making them valuable tools in dermatology and beyond.

This protocol outlines a systematic review and meta‐analysis plan to evaluate acupuncture, with or without moxibustion, for pain relief and safety in women with primary dysmenorrhea.

A single case of M. canis dermatophytosis in a dog was cured using Methylene blue-mediated antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (MB-APDT), with no recurrence after 6 months. This suggests MB-APDT is a fast, effective, and safe treatment for dermatophytosis in companion animals.

Zinc ions enhanced siderophore production in fungi from Panax ginseng rhizosphere, with optimal levels at 150 µg/ml. Penicillium commune JJHO produced ferrichrome-type siderophores, suggesting zinc may drive microbial adaptations in metal-rich environments with implications for plant health and bioremediation.

This study found that berberine and palmatine hydrochloride synergistically inhibit M. canis by disrupting cell structure and modulating virulence-related genes. The combination outperformed clotrimazole in vivo, showing strong potential for treating dermatophytosis.

Fluconazole downregulates the metallothionein gene in Microsporum canis, enhancing copper cytotoxicity. This ergosterol-independent antifungal mechanism reveals a novel vulnerability in M. canis and identifies metallothionein as a promising therapeutic target.

HapX regulates iron metabolism in A. benhamiae by controlling siderophore production and repressing iron-dependent genes, yet is dispensable for keratin-based virulence, suggesting compensatory iron acquisition strategies.

Virulence factors are molecules produced by pathogens that contribute to their ability to infect, colonize, and cause disease in host organisms by evading the immune system or damaging host tissues.

Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) are zinc-dependent enzymes that regulate extracellular matrix remodeling, with critical roles in health, disease, and interactions with the microbiome.

A metalloprotease, also termed a metalloproteinase, is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of peptide bonds in proteins, relying on metal ions—most commonly zinc (Zn²⁺), but also calcium (Ca²⁺), manganese (Mn²⁺), or cobalt (Co²⁺)—as essential cofactors for its catalytic activity. Classified within the broader group of proteases (peptidases), metalloproteases are distinct due to their metal-ion […]

This review outlines therapeutic strategies and susceptibility profiles for Microsporum canis, highlighting the need for standardized testing and noting poor efficacy for fluconazole and griseofulvin. Terbinafine and itraconazole remain preferred options.

Zinc deficiency significantly impairs Microsporum canis growth and virulence. The ZafA gene regulates zinc uptake and pathogenesis, and its deletion disrupts zinc transporters, conidiation, and host infection, suggesting it as a novel antifungal drug target.

This study identified catalase and hemolysin as key virulence factors linked to antifungal resistance in Microsporum canis strains from symptomatic hosts. Voriconazole, terbinafine, and posaconazole were most effective.

This case study confirmed Microsporum canis infection in cats through PCR and identified high antifungal resistance, with only itraconazole proving effective. These findings highlight the growing need for antifungal susceptibility testing in zoonotic dermatophytosis.

This study identified compound 2d as a potent antifungal agent against dermatophytes, demonstrating efficacy via ergosterol pathway suppression, cell wall disruption, and oxidative stress induction. It was non-toxic to mammalian cells, making it a strong candidate for further antifungal drug development.

This review outlines the pathogenic strategies of dermatophytes and host antifungal responses, with a focus on keratinolytic enzymes, PRRs, Th17 immunity, and CARD9-related immune dysfunction, offering insight into novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

This review evaluates antifungal susceptibility and therapeutic options for Microsporum canis, highlighting methodological variability in testing and identifying terbinafine and itraconazole as the most reliable agents.

Ag₀.₉₉Fe₁.₀₁O₃ nanoparticles, especially when combined with cinnamon, clove, or lemongrass essential oils, exhibited strong synergistic antifungal effects against multiple dermatophytes, offering a promising strategy against antifungal resistance.

This US-based study reveals that M. canis genotype correlates with disease severity in cats, identifies three genetic clusters, and confirms the dominance of the MAT1-1 mating type. Conserved virulence genes (SSU1, SUB3) offer potential diagnostic utility.

This review details the enzymatic and genetic virulence arsenal of Microsporum canis, highlighting understudied factors like biofilms and dipeptidylpeptidases. Greater insight into these mechanisms could improve treatment and prevention strategies.

This study identified a metalloprotease gene family in Microsporum canis and confirmed in vivo expression of MEP2 and MEP3 during infection. MEP3, a keratinolytic enzyme, was expressed recombinantly and may contribute to fungal virulence, supporting its use in vaccine development.

Bee venom showed partial antifungal activity against resistant M. canis isolates, supporting its evaluation as a potential topical therapeutic. While not as potent as terbinafine, BV outperformed fluconazole and amphotericin B in susceptible isolates, highlighting its promise amid rising antifungal resistance.

A multi‑ethnic review summarising >80 genetic loci underlying Graves’ disease, their clinical correlates and emerging precision‑medicine applications.