Related Experiment Videos
[Onychomycosis in Casablanca (Morocco)]
I Halim1, F El Kadioui, M Soussi Abdallaoui
1Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, CHU Ibn Rochd, 1 rue des Hôpitaux, Casablanca, Maroc. ilham06@gmail.com
Journal De Mycologie Medicale
|January 5, 2013
Summary
Onychomycosis, a common nail infection, is frequently caused by dermatophytes in toenails and Candida species in fingernails. This study details the fungal agents identified in Casablanca.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Epidemiology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Onychomycosis is the most prevalent nail disorder, with reported prevalence ranging from 18% to 50% in global literature.
- Understanding the specific etiological agents and epidemiological patterns is crucial for effective management and public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the epidemiology of onychomycosis.
- To identify the most common fungal pathogens causing onychomycosis at the University Hospital of Casablanca.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of mycological results from 2070 nail samples collected between 2006 and 2010.
- Inclusion criteria required positive microscopy and culture for all analyzed onychomycosis cases.
Main Results:
- A mycological etiology was confirmed in 64.5% of cases.
- Dermatophytes were the most common agents (65%), followed by yeasts (30%) and molds (4.5%).
- Candida albicans was the predominant yeast (49%), primarily affecting fingernails, while Trichophyton rubrum was the leading cause of toenail onychomycosis (75%).
Conclusions:
- Onychomycosis is a common condition in the studied region, caused by a variety of fungal agents.
- Fungal pathogens differ based on the affected nail site, with dermatophytes prevalent in toenails and Candida species in fingernails.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Antifungal Agents
Amphotericin B is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that exploits structural differences between fungal and mammalian cell membranes. Its amphipathic structure—featuring a hydrophobic polyene-lactone ring and a hydrophilic region containing mycosamine and carboxylic acid groups—enables selective binding to ergosterol, a sterol predominantly found in fungal plasma membranes. This selective interaction underlies the drug’s antifungal activity, although weak binding to cholesterol contributes to...
01:23Skin Diseases and Disorders
Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
01:28Fungal Phylum Microsporidia
Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
01:31Pulmonary Tuberculosis III
Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infection primarily affecting the lung parenchyma but which can also affect other body parts. TB can be classified based on disease development, presentation, and the affected anatomical site.
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
01:29Fungal Group Zygomycota
Zygomycota, previously classified as a distinct fungal group, are primarily terrestrial, saprophytic molds that play a crucial role as decomposers. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that these fungi are now divided into two major clades — Mucoromycota, which includes many symbiotic species, and Zoopagomycota, which primarily consists of parasitic and pathogenic fungi. These groups exhibit distinct ecological roles and reproductive strategies while sharing key structural and...
01:29Staphylococcal Skin Infections
Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus that resides harmlessly on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy individuals. When the skin barrier is breached, it can shift from a commensal to an opportunistic pathogen. This transition is facilitated by surface adhesins, such as clumping factor B and S. aureus surface protein G (SasG), which bind to structural proteins, including loricrin and cytokeratin, in the damaged epidermis. Protein A, another key factor, binds the Fc region of...