Strain differentiation of dermatophytes.

As molecular-based investigations begin to uncover the large degree of genetic variation that can exist within dermatophyte species, and population-based studies reveal exceedingly high rates of endemicity for these organisms, species typing has become inadequate to gain insight into these pathogens and the nature of the infections that they cause. This review examines studies that have applied strain typing strategies to explore intra-specific genetic diversity among the dermatophytes in attempts to address a number of relevant clinico-epidemiologic questions about these common fungal pathogens.