Fungal melanonychia.
Melanonychia is characterized by tan, brown, or black pigmentation within the nail plate. Fungal melanonychia is rare and may simulate longitudinal melanonychia caused by melanocytic lesions. We report six cases of fungal melanonychia which were confirmed histopathologically or mycologically. On culture, Candida and/or Aspergillus species were isolated in four patients. The nail pigmentation improved after treatment with antifungal agents in all cases, but one patient experienced a new lesion on another nail after cessation of treatment. Fungal infection should be considered as a cause of melanonychia, and fungal melanonychia should be differentiated from the melanonychia caused by melanocytic lesions, particularly by subungual melanoma.
Lee
Sang Won
SW
Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, Korea.
Kim
You Chan
YC
Kim
Dong Kun
DK
Yoon
Tae Young
TY
Park
Hyang Joon
HJ
Cinn
Yong Woo
YW
D000328:Adult; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005533:Foot Dermatoses / Q000382:microbiology*; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008548:Melanosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014009:Onychomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis*
D000935:Antifungal Agents