title: Epidemiological aspects of patients with ungual and cutaneous lesions caused by Scytalidium spp.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dermatomycoses caused by non-dermatophyte filamentous fungi are rare infections, except for onychomycosis, whose prevalence has increased over the past few years. Among these etiologic agents, we highlight Scytalidium dimidiatum and S. hyalinum, emergent fungi that cause mycoses that affect the nails and skin.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the characteristics of onychomycosis and other mycoses caused by the fungi Scytalidium spp, using sex, age and site of infection as parameters.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-one samples were evaluated showing positive culture for Scytalidium spp, obtained from 74 patients referred to the Laboratory of Investigation in Dermatology (ID) located in the city of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, between 1997 and 2006. The samples were submitted to diagnostic confirmation through direct exam and culture.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of onychomycosis caused by Scytalidium spp. was of 0,87%. The most prevalent age was between 41-60 years (48.64%). Regarding the site of infection, the feet (91.36%) were most affected, with predominance of the left hallux. Hyaline hyphae were the most common structures in direct examination and the species S. dimidiatum was the most frequent in culture.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Onychomycosis caused by Scytalidium spp. is rare and S. dimidiatum was the most isolated species in this laboratory during the period of the study.
authors.affiliation: Applied Microbiology and Parasitology, Fluminense Federal University, Niteroi, RJ, Brazil. apmx2008@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Ana Paula Martins
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Xavier
authors.forename: Jeferson Carvalhaes de
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Vera Lúcia da Silva
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.forename: Maria Auxiliadora Jeunon
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Souza
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001203:Ascomycota / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005533:Foot Dermatoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014009:Onychomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D055815:Young Adult