Review on dermatomycosis: pathogenesis and treatment

Dermatophytes, a group of keratinophilic fungi thriving on the keratin substrate are the etio-logical agents responsible for causing cutaneous infections. Dermatophytosis is currently treated with the commercially available topical and oral antifungal agents in spite of the existing side effects. Treatment of these cutaneous infections with secondary metabolites produced by marine microorganisms is considered as a novel approach. For many years these organisms have been explored with the view of developing antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti- cancer and antiparasitic drugs. Exploring the unexplored aspect of actinobacteria for developing antidermatophytic drugs is a novel attempt which needs further investigation.