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A study on the etiological agent and clinico-mycological correlation of fingernail onychomycosis in eastern India

Nilay Kanti Das1, Pramit Ghosh, Suchibrata Das

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Medical College and Hospital, 88 College Street, Kolkata - 73, India. dr_nilay@rediffmail.com

Indian Journal of Dermatology
|November 3, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Nail changes alone are unreliable for diagnosing fungal nail infections (onychomycosis). Microbiological confirmation is crucial, as clinical presentation doesn't always predict the specific causative organism.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Dermatology
  • Clinical Microbiology

Background:

  • Onychomycosis presents with diverse nail changes like onychodystrophy, onycholysis, subungual hyperkeratosis, and discoloration.
  • Clinical presentation of nail changes is not always indicative of a fungal origin.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the etiological agents of fingernail onychomycosis.
  • To investigate the correlation between clinical manifestations and causative fungi.

Main Methods:

  • Nail clippings and subungual debris were analyzed using KOH preparation and fungal culture (SDA and SDCCA media).
  • Species identification involved colony characteristics, pigment production, LCB staining, and germ tube tests.

Main Results:

  • Fungal growth was observed in 51.76% of cases (44 out of 85).
  • Dermatophytes (50%) were the predominant fungi, followed by yeasts (27.27%) and molds (22.72%).
  • Trichophyton rubrum, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus niger were the most common species identified; fungal culture showed higher positivity (95.45%) than KOH (63.64%).

Conclusions:

  • Clinical manifestations of onychomycosis are often misleading for predicting the causative organism.
  • Microbiological confirmation is essential for accurate diagnosis and management of fungal nail infections.
Keywords:
Etiological agentsnail changesonychomycosis

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