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[Nail susceptibility to fungal infections in patients with hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism]

Anna B Macura1, Teresa Gasińska, Bolesław Pawlik

  • 1Zakład Mykologii Katedry Mikrobiologii, Collegium Medicum, Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego w Krakowie. mbmacura@cyf-kr.edu.pl

Przeglad Lekarski
|October 19, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism increase toenail susceptibility to Candida albicans infections. This fungal infection risk is heightened in thyroid dysfunction patients compared to healthy individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Endocrinology
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Onychomycosis, a common adult nail disorder, affects finger and toe nails.
  • Thyroid dysfunction, including hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, is prevalent.
  • Fungal nail infections can be influenced by systemic health conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the susceptibility of fingernails and toenails to Candida albicans and Trichophyton mentagrophytes infections.
  • To compare infection rates in patients with symptomatic hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism against a healthy control group.

Main Methods:

  • Nail samples were collected from 23 patients with hypothyroidism and 27 with hyperthyroidism.
  • Nail samples from 22 healthy individuals served as controls.
  • Infection susceptibility to C. albicans and T. mentagrophytes was assessed.

Main Results:

  • Patients with both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism showed significantly higher frequency and intensity of toenail infections with Candida albicans compared to controls.
  • This enhanced susceptibility to C. albicans in toenails was observed regardless of the autoimmune etiology of thyroid dysfunction.
  • No significant difference was noted for T. mentagrophytes infections.

Conclusions:

  • Symptomatic hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are associated with increased toenail susceptibility to Candida albicans.
  • Thyroid dysfunction may predispose individuals to specific fungal nail infections.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the mechanisms underlying this association.

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