title: Onychomycosis due to opportunistic molds.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Onychomycosis are caused by dermatophytes and Candida, but rarely by non- dermatophyte molds. These opportunistic agents are filamentous fungi found as soil and plant pathogens.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the frequency of opportunistic molds in onychomycosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis of 4,220 cases with onychomycosis, diagnosed in a 39-month period at the Institute of Dermatology and Skin surgery "Prof. Dr. Fernando A. Cordero C." in Guatemala City, and confirmed with a positive KOH test and culture.
  
  
  RESULTS
  32 cases (0.76%) of onychomycosis caused by opportunistic molds were confirmed. The most affected age group ranged from 41 to 65 years (15 patients, 46.9%) and females were more commonly affected (21 cases, 65.6%) than males. Lateral and distal subungual onychomycosis (OSD-L) was detected in 20 cases (62.5%). The microscopic examination with KOH showed filaments in 19 cases (59.4%), dermatophytoma in 9 cases (28.1%), spores in 2 cases (6.25%), and filaments and spores in 2 cases (6.25%). Etiologic agents: Aspergillus sp., 11 cases (34.4%); Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, 8 cases (25.0%); Cladosporium sp., 3 cases (9.4%); Acremonium sp., 2 cases (6.25%); Paecilomyces sp., 2 cases (6.25%); Tritirachium oryzae, 2 cases (6.25%); Fusarium sp., Phialophora sp., Rhizopus sp. and Alternaria alternate, 1 case (3.1%) each.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found onychomycosis by opportunistic molds in 0.76% of the cases and DLSO was present in 62.5%. The most frequent isolated etiological agents were: Aspergillus sp. and Scopulariopsis brevicaulis.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Dermatology and Skin surgery "Prof. Dr. Fernando A. Cordero C.", Guatemala City, Guatemala.
authors.forename: Erick Obed
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Martínez-Herrera
authors.affiliation: 'Dr. Manuel Gea González' General Hospital, Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arroyo-Camarena
authors.affiliation: Hospital "Omar Torrijos Herrera", Panamá
authors.forename: Diana Luz
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Tejada-García
authors.affiliation: Institute of Dermatology and Skin surgery "Prof. Dr. Fernando A. Cordero C.", Guatemala City, Guatemala.
authors.forename: Carlos Francisco
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Porras-López
authors.affiliation: 'Dr. Manuel Gea González' General Hospital, Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Arenas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005658:Fungi / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014009:Onychomycosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D055815:Young Adult