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. 2012 May;24(2):175-80.
doi: 10.5021/ad.2012.24.2.175. Epub 2012 Apr 26.

Onychomycosis due to nondermatophytic molds

Sung Min Hwang  1 , Moo Kyu Suh, Gyoung Yim Ha
Affiliations

Onychomycosis due to nondermatophytic molds

Sung Min Hwang et al. Ann Dermatol. 2012 May.

Abstract

Background: Although there have been many studies about onychomycosis due to nondermatophytic molds (NDM), few studies about etiologic agents including NDM in onychomycosis have been reported in Korea.

Objective: This study investigated onychomycosis due to NDM in the Gyeongju area of Korea.

Methods: In the 10-year period from 1999~2009, we reviewed 59 patients with onychomycosis due to NDM. The etiologic agents were identified by cultures on Sabouraud's Dextrose agar with and without cycloheximide. In some cases, internal transcribed spacer sequence analysis was done. NDM isolated considered pathogens when the presence of fungal elements was identified by direct microscopy observation and in follow-up cultures yielding the same fungi.

Results: Onychomycosis due to NDM comprised 2.3% of all onychomycosis. Of the 59 patients with onychomycosis due to NDM, 84.7% were toenail onychomycosis and 15.3% were fingernail onychomycosis. The incidence rate was highest in the fifth decade (27.1%). The ratio of male to female patients was 1:1.6. The frequency of associated diseases, in descending order, was hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and cerebral hematoma. Distal and lateral subungual onychomycosis (86.4%) was the most common clinical type of onychomycosis. Aspergillus spp. was the most frequently isolated etiologic agent of onychomycosis due to NDM (83.0%). Other causative agents were Scopulariopsis brevicaulis (10.2%), Acremonium spp. (3.4%), Fusarium solani (1.7%), and Chaetomium globosum (1.7%).

Conclusion: Because of the increase in onychomycosis due to NDM, we suggest the need of a careful mycological examination in patients with onychomycosis.

Keywords: Molds; Onychomycosis.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Annual incidence of patients with onychomycosis due to nondermatophytic molds.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Monthly distribution of patients with onychomycosis due to nondermatophytic molds.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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