dermatophyte

(noun)

a parasitic fungus that secretes extracellular enzymes that break down keratin, causing infections the skin, such as jock itch and athlete's foot

Related Terms

Examples of dermatophyte in the following topics:

  • Fungi as Plant, Animal, and Human Pathogens

    • These fungi are often misnamed "dermatophytes", from the Greek words dermis meaning skin and phyte meaning plant, although they are not plants.
    • Dermatophytes are also called "ringworms" because of the red ring they cause on skin.