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[Causative agents of onychomycosis--a retrospective study]
Claudia Mügge1, Uwe-Frithjof Haustein, Pietro Nenoff
1Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig.
Summary
Dermatophytes, particularly T. rubrum, are the most common cause of onychomycosis (nail fungal infections). Yeasts are also frequent culprits, while molds are rare in nail infections.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Dermatology
- Infectious Diseases
Context:
- Onychomycosis, a common nail fungal infection, can be caused by dermatophytes, yeasts, and molds.
- Accurate identification of causative agents is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose:
- To determine the prevalence of different fungal groups (dermatophytes, yeasts, molds) causing onychomycosis.
- To identify the specific genera and species responsible for nail infections in a large patient cohort.
Summary:
- A retrospective study analyzed 5,077 nail samples from 4,177 patients.
- Fungi were detected in 54% of samples, with dermatophytes (68%) being the most common, followed by yeasts (29%) and molds (3%).
- Key species identified include T. rubrum (dermatophyte), C. parapsilosis (yeast), and S. brevicaularis (mold).
Impact:
- This study highlights the predominant role of dermatophytes, especially T. rubrum, in onychomycosis.
- It underscores the significant contribution of yeasts and the infrequent occurrence of molds in nail fungal infections.
- Findings aid in understanding the etiological landscape of onychomycosis for improved clinical management.