Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

Broth Microdilution In Vitro Screening: An Easy and Fast Method to Detect New Antifungal Compounds
08:54

Broth Microdilution In Vitro Screening: An Easy and Fast Method to Detect New Antifungal Compounds

Published on: February 14, 2018

18.8K

Ex Vivo Fungal Nail Penetration Study: Effects of Causative Organisms, Nail Polish and Age

Kanyalak Munprom1, Sumanas Bunyaratavej1, Penvadee Pattanaprichakul1

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.

Mycoses
|January 8, 2025
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Fungal virulence, not nail polish or age, primarily determines nail invasion in onychomycosis. Neoscytalidium dimidiatum showed the highest invasion rate, while Candida albicans showed the lowest.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Dermatology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Onychomycosis is a common fungal nail infection.
  • Limited ex vivo research exists on fungal virulence factors in onychomycosis.
  • The role of nail polish in onychomycosis susceptibility or protection is debated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the nail invasion capabilities of various fungi (dermatophytes, non-dermatophytes, yeasts) ex vivo.
  • To assess the influence of nail polishing on fungal nail invasion.
  • To evaluate the impact of host age on fungal nail penetration.

Main Methods:

  • Tested six fungal species: Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, Microsporum canis, Neoscytalidium dimidiatum, Fusarium spp., and Candida albicans.
  • Utilized ex vivo human nail plates from young (<70 years) and elderly (≥70 years) volunteers.
  • Incubated fungal cultures with polished and unpolished nail sections for 2, 4, and 8 weeks, with histological confirmation of invasion.

Main Results:

  • Neoscytalidium dimidiatum demonstrated the highest nail invasion rate (93.75%) at 2 weeks, while Candida albicans had the lowest (6.25%).
  • Fungal penetration increased with incubation time; however, no statistically significant difference in invasion rates was observed between polished and unpolished nails at 8 weeks.
  • Host age did not significantly influence the nail invasion by most tested fungal species.

Conclusions:

  • Fungal virulence is the primary determinant of nail plate invasion in onychomycosis.
  • Neoscytalidium dimidiatum exhibited the most aggressive and rapid nail penetration.
  • Nail polishing may potentially impede the invasion of less virulent fungal species.
Keywords:
Neoscytalidium dimidiatumdermatophytesfungal nail infectionnail penetration testnail polishingnon‐dermatophyteonychomycosistinea unguiumvirulenceyeast

More Related Videos

Automation of Bio-Atomic Force Microscope Measurements on Hundreds of C. albicans Cells09:27

Automation of Bio-Atomic Force Microscope Measurements on Hundreds of C. albicans Cells

Published on: April 2, 2021

3.9K
Rapid Freezing using Sandwich Freezing Device for Good Ultrastructural Preservation of Biological Specimens in Electron Microscopy09:03

Rapid Freezing using Sandwich Freezing Device for Good Ultrastructural Preservation of Biological Specimens in Electron Microscopy

Published on: July 19, 2021

5.2K

Related Concept Videos

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection01:26

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin create...
The Effect of Aging on Tissues01:19

The Effect of Aging on Tissues

Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...
Accessory Structures of the Skin: Nails01:05

Accessory Structures of the Skin: Nails

Nails are one of the important accessory structures of the skin. They are hard, protective structures that cover the dorsal surface of the distal phalanges of fingers and toes. Nails are composed of specialized keratinized cells and serve various functions, including protection, sensation, and manual dexterity.
The main components of a nail include the following.
Nail Plate: The nail plate is the visible portion of the nail that extends beyond the fingertips or toes. It is a hard, translucent...
Skin Diseases and Disorders01:23

Skin 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...
The Skin Microbiota01:27

The Skin Microbiota

The human skin serves as a complex ecosystem inhabited by a diverse community of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This microbiome plays a critical role in maintaining skin health and defending against pathogenic invaders. The composition of microbial communities varies significantly across different regions of the body, influenced primarily by the local levels of moisture and sebum.Regional Variation in Skin MicrobiotaCutibacterium acnes predominantly colonizes sebaceous...
Acne Infection01:27

Acne Infection

Acne is a multifactorial skin condition primarily affecting adolescents and young adults, with a global prevalence estimated to exceed 75% in this demographic. The condition is characterized by the formation of comedones (blackheads and whiteheads), papules, pustules, nodules, and, in severe cases, cysts, particularly in areas rich in sebaceous glands such as the face, neck, chest, and back. The pathogenesis involves increased sebum production, follicular hyperkeratinization, colonization by...