Antifungal Agents for Treatment of Mycoses

Being eukaryotes the similarity of fungi with animals in great extent, it is very difficult to develop suitable antifungal compounds which target only to the fungi and spare the host compare to anti-bacterials. Concerted systematic programmes to discover and develop new antibiotics and anti-fungals have been driven to a considerable extent by the development of resistance by these organisms to the drugs commonly used against them as well as the side effects they exerted on host body. Fungal diseases are usually divided into five groups according to the level of infected tissue and mode of entry into the host which are: superficial, cutaneous, subcutaneous, systemic, and opportunistic infections. The most common types of mycoses which are responsible for humans fungal diseases are- Tinea capitis; disease of Scalp (Trichophyton spp. and Microsporum spp.), Tinea corporis: Due to social exchanges and contacts (Trichophyton spp.), Tinea cruris: Disease of itching (Epidermophyton sp.), Tinea pedis: Athletes foot, in bengali 'haza' (T. rubrum), Tinea manuum: similar disease on hands (T. rubrum), and Tinea unguium: Attacking nails (T. rubrum).