The role of biofilms in onychomycosis.
review · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 27012826.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1016/j.jaad.2016.01.008.
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Abstract
Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of nails primarily caused by dermatophyte fungi. Fungi are traditionally understood as existing in the environment as planktonic organisms; however, recent advancements in microbiology suggest that fungi form biofilms-complex sessile microbial communities irreversibly attached to epithelial surfaces by means of an extracellular matrix. The extracellular matrix also acts as a protective barrier to the organisms within the biofilm. The biofilm is surprisingly resistant to injury and may act as a persistent source of infection possibly accounting for antifungal resistance in onychomycosis.
Medical subject headings
- Antifungal Agents
- Biofilms
- Drug Resistance, Fungal
- Fungi
- Onychomycosis