Griseofulvin is primarily used to treat what condition?

Griseofulvin is an antifungal medication that is specifically effective against dermatophytes, the fungi that cause skin infections known as dermatophytosis. This condition typically manifests as localized infections of the skin, hair, and nails and is commonly seen in both humans and animals. Griseofulvin works by inhibiting fungal growth, disrupting the function of the fungal cell's mitotic spindle, consequently preventing the fungi from replicating.

In the context of the other options, otitis refers to inflammation of the ear and is primarily treated with antibiotics or antifungal medications if an infection is present but does not specifically relate to griseofulvin's antifungal properties. Pneumonia, which is an infection of the lungs, involves different classes of medications, generally antibiotics, to treat bacterial or viral causes. Dermatitis is a broad term for skin inflammation and can have many underlying causes, including allergies or irritants, requiring different treatment approaches rather than targeting fungal infections. Therefore, the use of griseofulvin is specifically tailored for the treatment of dermatophytosis, making it the appropriate choice.