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10:01
Quantification of Fungal Colonization, Sporogenesis, and Production of Mycotoxins Using Kernel Bioassays
Published on: April 23, 2012
[Onychomycosis: multicentre epidemiological, clinical and mycological study]
Silvia Relloso1, Alicia Arechavala, Liliana Guelfand
1Laboratorio de Microbiología, CEMIC. Caba, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina. srelloso@yahoo.com
Revista Iberoamericana De Micologia
|December 27, 2011
Summary
Onychomycosis, a common nail disorder, is often caused by fungi. This study found dermatophytes prevalent in toenails and yeasts in fingernails, with direct examination proving highly effective for diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Dermatology
- Infectious Diseases
Context:
- Onychomycosis represents a significant portion of nail pathologies.
- Fungal nail infections can stem from yeasts, dermatophytes, and non-dermatophyte molds.
- Understanding the epidemiology and causative agents is crucial for effective treatment strategies.
Purpose:
- To investigate the prevalence, diagnostic findings, causative agents, and clinical manifestations of onychomycosis.
- To analyze fingernail and toenail samples over a one-year period across nine diagnostic centers.
- To compare direct microscopy and culture results for onychomycosis diagnosis.
Summary:
- A multicenter study analyzed 5,961 samples, revealing onychomycosis predominantly affects toenails (82.3%) in middle-aged females (mean age 49.7).
- Direct microscopic examination (KOH) showed a 61% positivity rate, higher than previous reports. Dermatophytes (82.8%) were the primary cause in toenails, while yeasts (Candida spp.) predominated in fingernails.
- Distal subungual onychomycosis was the most frequent clinical presentation in toenails, whereas onycholysis was common in fingernails.
Impact:
- Highlights the diagnostic utility of direct mycological examination in identifying fungal nail infections.
- Provides epidemiological data on causative agents, differentiating between toenail and fingernail infections.
- Informs clinical practice and public health strategies for managing onychomycosis.
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