Milestones in the History of Medical Mycology

the Superficial Mycoses

Abstract

The chronological history of the development of our knowledge concerning superficial mycoses and their etiologic agents is presented. These are: pityriasis versicolor-Malassezia furfur; white piedra-Trichosporon beigelii; pityriasis nigra-Phaeoannellomyces werneckii, Stenella araguata, and black piedra-Piedraia hortai. The potential for M. furfur, M. pachydermatis and T. beigelii to induce life threatening systemic infections-malasseziasis furfurii, malasezziasis pachydermatisii and trichosporonosis beigelii-is also discussed.