Abstract: (11618 Views)
Fungal infection of the nail, also known as onychomycosis, is a worldwide problem. It is estimated that onychomycosis constitutes 15-22 percent of all nail disorders. It is also known that 2-5 percent of the adult population in Europe have onychomycosis. This problem is quite common in the dermatology clinic of the countries in the Midle East, India and the Far East. The infection rates and types of fungi involved in onychomycosis vary with conditions such as age, sex, occupation, hygiene, foot wear and several environmental and climatic factors.
Methods and Materials: A retrospective study of nail infection was carried out in the section of Medical Mycology, Pasteur Institute of Iran from April 1993 to March 1999. Nineteen hundreds eighty five cases examined for toe and finger nail infections.
Results: Ranging in age were from 3 months to 84 years old. This study reports the causative agents of onychomycosis in the presented patients in the section of Medical Mycology, Pasteur Institute of Iran. The 1985 patients were examined for onychomycosis. Diagnosis was confirmed by demonstration of fungi in direct (K.OH 20 percent) and cultural examination. Onychomycosis were proven in 601 patients. Three hundreds fifty patients were females (59 percent). The fingernails were more commonly positive in females (73.5 percent) than males, while the toenail positivity rate in males was 69 percent. Among 601 isolated species, dermatophytes were 308 cases (51 percent) mainly from toenail were predominant. Candida SPP. Were isolated in 46 percent of the cases, especially from fingernails. Nondermatophytic molds were isolated only in 3 percent of the patients (18 cases). Most common isolated dermatophytes were Trichophyton rubrum (66.5 percent) and T. Mentagrophytes (24.6 percent). Other isolated dermatophytes were: violaceum, T. schoenleinii and Microsporum gypseum. Candida albicans were isolated in 40.9 percent of the yeast onychomycosis. Non- dermatophytyic molds were Aspergillos, Acromonium. Fusarium and Chrysosporium.
Conclusion: Onychomycosis represent 30 percent of all mycotic infections of the skin. Their promoting factors, clinical aspects and differential diagnosis have been reviewed. It is necessary to confirm the clinical diagnosis of onychomycosis by laboratory tests (direct microscopy and cultures).