Fungal infections of the nails in Western Australia

Between 1963 and 1972, 986 fungi were isolated from the nails of patients in Western Australia. Three clinical types of infections in both finger and toe nails were studied. All 3 types occurred more commonly in adults over the age of 20. Multiple infections were relatively frequent. Two hundred and fourteen of the nail infections were caused by dermatophyte fungi. Trichophyton rubrum was the predominant aetiologic agent isolated from both finger and toe nails, T. mentagrophytes and other dermatophytes were involved to a lesser degree. Paronychia of the finger nails was common and mainly caused by C. albicans. Aspergillus species were the most frequent fungi grown from superficial white onychomycosis.