A fungus that causes superficial infections of the skin, hair, and/or nails, i.e., keratinized tissues. Species of Epidermophyton, Microsporum, and Trichophyton are regarded as dermatophytes, but causative agents of tinea versicolor, tinea nigra, and cutaneous candidiasis are not so classified. [dermato- + G. phyton, plant]
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der·ma·to·phyte (.)dər-'mat-ə-.fīt, 'dər-mət-ə- n a fungus parasitic upon the skin or skin derivatives (as hair or nails) compare DERMATOMYCOSIS
der·ma·to·phyt·ic (.)dər-.mat-ə-'fit-ik, .dər-mət- adj
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n.
a fungus belonging to any one of the three genera (Microsporum, Trichophyton, and Epidermophyton) that can feed on keratin and cause ringworm (tinea).
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der·ma·to·phyte (durґmə-to-fīt″) [dermato- + -phyte] any of various imperfect fungi that cause superficial infections on keratinized tissue of animals (skin, nails, or hair). Those affecting humans are called anthropophilic, and those affecting other animals are called zoophilic. Some fungi that are usually found in soil (geophilic) will infect patients who are weak or immunocompromised. The three genera usually considered to contain dermatophytic species are Microsporum, Epidermophyton, and Trichophyton.Medical dictionary. 2011.