title: Scanning electron microscopy of superficial white onychomycosis.
abstract: Superficial white onychomycosis is characterized by opaque, friable, whitish superficial spots on the nail plate. We examined an affected halux nail of a 20-year-old male patient with scanning electron microscopy. The mycological examination isolated Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Abundant hyphae with the formation of arthrospores were found on the nail's surface, forming small fungal colonies. These findings showed the great capacity for dissemination of this form of onychomycosis.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Hiram Larangeira de
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.affiliation: Universidade Católica de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Roberta Oliveira
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Boabaid
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Vitor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Timm
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ricardo Marques E
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Embrapa Clima Temperado, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luis Antonio Suita de
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Castro
mesh_terms: D005533:Foot Dermatoses / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D014009:Onychomycosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D014005:Tinea / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D014249:Trichophyton / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000648:ultrastructure; D055815:Young Adult