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Great toenail onychomycosis caused by Syncephalastrum racemosum

Milos D Pavlović1, Nina Bulajić

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro. mdpavlovic2004@yahoo.com

Dermatology Online Journal
|April 28, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Nondermatophyte molds rarely cause nail infections. This study documents a rare case of toenail onychomycosis caused by the nondermatophyte mold Syncephalastrum racemosum in a 45-year-old man.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Nondermatophyte molds are fungi commonly found in soil and decaying organic matter.
  • They are typically considered infrequent or opportunistic pathogens in nail infections (onychomycoses).
  • Prevalence of onychomycosis due to nondermatophyte molds varies from 1.45% to 17.60%.

Observation:

  • The most frequently implicated nondermatophyte molds in nail diseases include Scopulariopsis, Scytalidium, Fusarium, Aspergillus, and Onychocola canadensis.
  • Syncephalastrum racemosum, a fungus from the class Zygomycetae, is a nondermatophyte mold.
  • Previously, only one documented instance of human illness caused by Syncephalastrum racemosum existed.

Findings:

  • This report details a case of culture-proven toenail onychomycosis.
  • The causative agent identified was Syncephalastrum racemosum.
  • The patient was a 45-year-old male.

Implications:

  • This case expands the understanding of Syncephalastrum racemosum as a pathogen.
  • It highlights the importance of considering less common fungi in nail infections.
  • Further research may be needed to understand the clinical significance and treatment of Syncephalastrum racemosum onychomycosis.

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