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Review
. 2016 Jun;74(6):1241-6.
doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2016.01.008. Epub 2016 Mar 22.

The role of biofilms in onychomycosis

Aditya K Gupta  1 , Deanne Daigle  2 , Jessie L Carviel  2
Affiliations
Review

The role of biofilms in onychomycosis

Aditya K Gupta et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016 Jun.

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.

Keywords: antifungal; biofilm; dermatophyte fungi; extracellular matrix; nail; onychomycosis.

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