title: Techniques for obtaining specimens for culture to confirm onychomycosis.
abstract: A study was conducted to determine whether fungal culture results in cases of suspected onychomycosis differ depending on the location from which the specimen is obtained. Specimens were taken from the nail plate, subungual debris, and nail bed in 30 patients with clinical evidence of onychomycosis. Cultures from the subungual debris were more likely to be positive for dermatophytes, nondermatophytic molds, and yeasts than were cultures from the deeper nail bed or nail plate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Podiatric Medicine, California College of Podiatric Medicine, San Francisco 94115, USA.
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Harvey
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Richardson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014009:Onychomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*