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Onychomycosis due to Ulocladium botrytis
C Romano1, E Maritati, E Paccagnini
1Department of Clinical Medicine and Immunology, Dermatology Section, Siena University, Siena, Italy. mondelli@unisi.it
Mycoses
|August 18, 2004
Summary
A rare fungal infection of the toenail caused by Ulocladium botrytis, a mold not previously known to infect humans, was successfully treated. Topical ciclopiroxolamine resolved the disto-lateral onychomycosis in three months.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Onychomycosis, a common nail fungal infection, is typically caused by dermatophytes or yeasts.
- Ulocladium botrytis is a filamentous fungus rarely implicated in human infections.
Observation:
- A case of disto-lateral onychomycosis affecting the third toe of a 45-year-old male patient.
- Mycological examination included direct microscopy, culture, and scanning electron microscopy of pathological nail material.
Findings:
- The causative agent was identified as Ulocladium botrytis, a novel finding for human onychomycosis.
- Diagnosis was confirmed through macro- and microscopic analysis of fungal colonies.
Implications:
- This case expands the spectrum of known human pathogens causing onychomycosis.
- Highlights the importance of thorough mycological diagnostics for identifying unusual fungal agents.
- Topical ciclopiroxolamine demonstrated efficacy in treating this rare fungal nail infection.