Epidemiologic and clinicomycologic profile of onychomycosis from north India.
BACKGROUND
Onychomycosis is an important public health problem because of the increase in immunosuppressive states. Large-scale studies in India are scarce, and so the baseline incidence of onychomycosis is not firmly established.


METHODS
Three hundred and two clinically suspected cases of onychomycosis were included in this study. Nail samples were collected for direct microscopic examination and culture. Clinical patterns and associated relevant factors were noted according to a predetermined protocol.


RESULTS
The associated predisposing conditions included diabetes mellitus (3.9%) and systemic lupus erythematosus (2.3%). Distal and lateral subungual onychomycosis was the most common clinical pattern (62%), followed by total dystrophic onychomycosis (20.2%). The most common fungal isolates were dermatophytes (49.5%), followed by Candida spp. (40.4%) and nondermatophyte molds (10.1%). Of the dermatophytes, Trichophyton rubrum (47%) was the most common isolate, followed by Trichophyton tonsurans (20.4%). Of the Candida spp., Candida albicans was the most common (60%).


CONCLUSIONS
Until recently, yeasts and nondermatophyte molds were regarded as contaminants, but their emergence as a significant cause of onychomycosis in immunocompromised patients calls for mycologic diagnosis and antifungal susceptibility testing in onychomycosis. The recognition of the changing patterns of onychomycosis will aid in the therapeutic approach and the implementation of control measures.
Sarma
Smita
S
Department of Microbiology, Vardhman Mahaveer Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India.
Capoor
Malini R
MR
Deb
Monorama
M
Ramesh
V
V
Aggarwal
Pushpa
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002175:Candida / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005533:Foot Dermatoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D003904:Mitosporic Fungi / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014009:Onychomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014249:Trichophyton / Q000302:isolation & purification