Molds in onychomycosis.
BACKGROUND
Onychomycosis is a major cause of nail dystrophy. The causative organisms in onychomycosis are dermatophytes, Candida and molds. A variety of molds have been isolated from nails.


METHODS
Nail scrapings and clippings were collected from 100 cases and inoculated on slants containing SDA with cycloheximide 0.5 mg/mL, chloramphenicol 0.05 mg/mL, and SDA with chloramphenicol 0.05 mg/mL.


RESULTS
The culture positivity rate for molds was 22%. The predominant mold isolates were Aspergillus species (86.4%, Fusarium oxysporum (4.5%), Curvularia species (4.5%) and Penicillium species (4.5%).


CONCLUSIONS
Primary invasion of nails by molds can cause onychomycosis.
Ramani
R
R
Department of Microbiology, Skin and V.D., Kasturba Medical College, Karnataka, India.
Srinivas
C R
CR
Ramani
A
A
Kumari
T G
TG
Shivananda
P G
PG
D005260:Female; D005658:Fungi / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009262:Nails / Q000382:microbiology; D014009:Onychomycosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies