Introduction
Fungi are both plant and animal pathogens that can be harmful or beneficial to both organisms. Although fungi may be very few in type and number, they cause a spectrum of many infections and diseases. These infections and diseases have been found to be very difficult to treat as compared to those caused by bacteria. The main reason behind their adamancy in treatment is based on their cellular make-up and arrangement. Fungi are eukaryotes hence very difficult to destroy their cells, unlike bacteria which are prokaryotes (Wong, 2010, p.1). This paper is a description of one of the fungal infections which are ringworm infection.
However, there are other fungal infections including; Candida, athlete’s foot, jock itch occurring in animals. In plants, we have tomato and potato blight, mycotoxin, aflatoxin just to mention but a few. Ringworm is, therefore, a fungal that affects the skin or scalp as well as nails of an animal. The fungus-causing ringworm is known to survive only in the external environment hence the reason why ringworms occur on the surface of the skin and other organs. We, therefore, have ringworm of the skin, scalp, nails, and groin classified according to the part of the body it affects.
Causative agents of Ringworms
Fungi in the genera of Microsporum and Trichophyton are responsible for causing ringworm infection. The fungi in these genera are classified as those that reproduce asexually in that they produce asexual spores. Reproduction is therefore by binary fusion. These causative agents of ringworm can be found living in animals like cows, poultry, dogs, etcetera hence known as zoophilic (Ryan, 2010. P.1). Fungi in this class are the Microsporum canis which are very common in pets from where they
find their way to man. The anthropophilic are those that are present in man only. The last class is the geophilic which are present in the soil, and other inorganic matter like stones.
Epidemiology of Ringworm
As mentioned above, fungi is a wide spread pathogen. Because of this, there are many reservoirs of the fungi causing ringworm. It is an infection that can be found in people of different ages (Wong, 2010, p.1). However, research has shown that this disease is common in children living in slums or the poorly hygienic environments.
Transmission of Ringworm
Once a person or an animal is infected, the chances of transmitting the infection to the others are high as long as fungus is on the lesion of the skin. The fungus that causes ringworm has the ability to be transmitted among people and animals by means of direct contact. This contact can be through sharing of personal items like towels, clothes, combs or even by direct touch. Ringworm infection is sped up in moist conditions as well as high temperatures and dirty environments. People suffering from diabetes mellitus become susceptible to the ringworm infection, thus they should be able to observe strict hygiene and avoid close contact with other people to reduce the risk. In animals, pets usually get the fungus from the soil when they are in contact with the soil or even in burrowed holes of rodents. Thereafter they infect the other animals or human beings that are close to them.
Signs and symptoms of ringworms
The major symptom of the ringworm infection is a small lesion that is found on the skin or scalp. However there are other signs and symptoms of the infection which include; itching and inflammation of the part affected and sometimes scaling especially of the skin and scalp. Further diagnosis is usually by scrapping off some lesions of the infected parts then having them examined through a microscope for confirmation of the infection. At other times the infected area may be examined under the ultraviolet light.
Prevention and Treatment of Ringworm infection
As mentioned above that the ringworm infection is very difficult to treat because of its persistence it is better to prevent the infection than the treating process. To prevent contracting the infection one should be aware of the possible ways of transmission and avoid them (Peterson, 2010, p.1). One should therefore avoid sharing of personal items and being in close contacts with infected persons or even suspected persons. When in moist environments one should avoid being barefooted and be in slippers or shoes. The other way of preventing infection of ringworm is by avoiding putting on socks in wet feet. Pets should also be handled with care to avoid contracting the infection from them. Lastly, use of antifungal soaps and antiseptics is necessary especially on young children.
Treatment of the infection is very important so as to prevent further spread of the disease. The infections may at times disappear on their own especially after observation of strict hygiene but others will only disappear after medication. Anti fungal medications in the form of drugs or application creams are mostly prescribed. During treatment, the patients are usually advised to put on loose clothing to aerate the body so as to keep the infected parts dry.
Glossary
- Jock itch- This is a fungal infection that affects parts of the groin and the thighs on the upper side.
- Microsporum- Spore forming fungus that causes the ringworm infection
- Zoophilic- These are disease or infections that are communicable between animals and human beings.
- Anthropophilic-These are infections and diseases that only occur in human beings and not transferable to other animals.
- Lesions- These are the parts of the body surface that indicate presence of infection.
- Prokaryotic- These are animal cells that do not have a membrane surrounding the nucleus.
- Eukaryotic- These are animal cell at that have a membrane surrounding their nuclei.
- Afflatoxin- It is specie of fungus that is carcinogenic and it is mostly found in grains.
- Mycotoxin-This is a toxin produced by a fungus.
- Trichophyton- This is the genus of the fungus responsible for causing ringworm.
- Geophilics- These are disease and pathogens that are found in the environment like the in the rocks, soils.
- Pathogen-This is a microorganism responsible for causing infections and diseases, for example virus, fungi, bacteria.
- Diabetes mellitus- It is a condition characterized by high levels of blood sugar in the body.
Reference List
Peterson, M. (2010). Causes of Ring Worm.
Ryan, J. (2010). Ringworms: Why and How They Occur.
Wong, G. (2010). Fungi as Human Pathogens. Web.