Question

I need help with question 1 and 3 and the interpretation of relevant history and clinical lab finding.

The patient was a 23-year-old male with a 3-year history of pain and itching of the toes of both feet and his left palm and fingers. Small raised, red lesions were visible on his left fingers. Peeling and scaling were observed on his feet and left palm. In the past 3 months, he had lost the nail from his great toes. Otherwise he was in his usual state of good health which included training for triathlons. He had no systemic complaints. He had been treated for this condition twice in the past with an appropriate agent. The first time for three months during which time his condition improved. He stopped for 5 months, his condition worsened and he again took the agent for 6 months, stopping after becoming ill following drinking "some" beer. His present illness was his third episode of the disease. Culture of the organism recovered from skin scrapings of his feet showed mycelial growth. In Addition to identifying this infectious disease and the infectious agent, ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS: 1. Even though this patient had a chronic infection, he had no systemic complaints. Is this consistent with the pathogenesis of the organism causing his infection? Explain your answer. 2. How do you think the person got this infection? Why do you think it keeps 3. What are the limitations of therapy for this type of infection? 4. What is a Wood's lamp examination? Would it have been useful diagnostically in recurring? the patient? Explain. Also include your interpretation of relevant history and clinical/lab findings!

Answer 1

Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is a fungal infection that usually begins between the toes. It commonly occurs in people whose feet have become very sweaty while confined within tightfitting shoes.

Signs and symptoms of athlete's foot include a scaly rash that usually causes itching, stinging and burning. Athlete's foot is contagious and can be spread via contaminated floors, towels or clothing.

1. Yes , it's because of the pathogenesis of the organism causing infection the patient didn't have any systemic symptoms . Incubation period is unknown. A breakdown in the host's skin defenses promotes the invasion of the epidermis by hyphae. Infections are localized to keratinized skin. Chronic, papulosquamous (with both papules and scales) and hyperkeratotic (overgrowth of cells) skin is seen. There is poor cell-mediated immune response to the infection that does not result in partial or protection immunity.

3. The limitations of the therapy are :-

- antifungals

Prevention methods :-

- maintaining proper hygiene

- keeping feets clean and dry

- avoiding use of too tight shoes

- avoid use of others shoes ,towels etc

- cleaning feets with soap and water