title: [Onychomycoses: epidemiology, causative agents and assessment of diagnostic laboratory methods].
abstract: Since March 2007 to March 2011, 414 patients with onychopathies were prospectively analyzed. Prevalence of the toenail and fingernail mycoses was 78 % and 58 %, respectively. The major etiological agents were Trichophyton rubrum, Candida spp. and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Dermatophytes were more frequently cultured from toenails, whereas Candida spp. from fingernails (both, p < 0.05). In candidal onychomycosis, species different from C. albicans were prevalent. A higher prevalence of toenail and fingernail mycoses, a predominance of T. rubrum in toenails (p < 0.05), and greater positivity in the direct examination (DE) and in culture (both, p < 0.05) were more frequently observed in men than in women. The correlation between DE and culture was 68 %. DE and culture yields were associated with a greater size lesion. DE was more effective in onycodystrophies with duration of more than 5 years. Culture positivity was independent of nail affection chronicity.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Análisis Clínicos "Gegora", Esquel, Argentina. javiernazar@speedy.com.ar
authors.forename: Javier R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Nazar
authors.forename: Paula E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Gerosa
authors.forename: Osvaldo A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Díaz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001118:Argentina / Q000453:epidemiology; D002175:Candida / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002179:Candidiasis, Cutaneous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009172:Mycology / Q000379:methods*; D014009:Onychomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D010808:Physical Examination; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014006:Tinea Capitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D014034:Toes / Q000382:microbiology; D014249:Trichophyton / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D055815:Young Adult