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Fusarium species detected in onychomycosis in Colombia

Natalia Castro López1, Clemencia Casas, Leticia Sopo

  • 1Laboratorio de Micología y Fitopatología Uniandes (LAMFU), Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia.

Mycoses
|September 17, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Fusarium species are a growing cause of fungal nail infections (onychomycosis) in Colombia. This study identified Fusarium solani, Fusarium oxysporum, and Fusarium verticillioides in patients and tested their susceptibility to voriconazole.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Fusarium species are increasingly implicated in onychomycosis cases in Colombia.
  • Previous treatment history was reported in 63.5% of the studied patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Identify Fusarium species causing onychomycosis in Colombian patients.
  • Evaluate the in vitro susceptibility of these isolates to voriconazole.
  • Determine the genetic diversity and specific pathotypes of Fusarium oxysporum.

Main Methods:

  • Sample collection from 137 onychomycosis patients (2003-2004).
  • Species identification using standard mycological techniques.
  • Antifungal susceptibility testing via broth microdilution and disk diffusion for voriconazole.
  • Genetic diversity analysis of Fusarium oxysporum using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD).
  • PCR amplification to identify Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. dianthi.

Main Results:

  • Fusarium solani (64.9%) was the predominant species, followed by Fusarium oxysporum (32.8%) and Fusarium verticillioides (2.3%).
  • Onychomycosis was more prevalent in women (73%) and adults aged 31-40 years.
  • Fusarium solani exhibited the highest minimum inhibitory concentration to voriconazole.
  • Variable susceptibility to voriconazole was observed among isolates using disk diffusion.
  • Five out of 20 Fusarium oxysporum isolates were identified as Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. dianthi.

Conclusions:

  • Fusarium species, particularly F. solani, are significant agents of onychomycosis in Colombia.
  • Voriconazole susceptibility varies among Fusarium species, with F. solani showing higher resistance.
  • Genetic analysis confirmed the presence of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. dianthi, highlighting the need for accurate species identification in treatment strategies.

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