Onychomycosis, tinea pedis and tinea manuum caused by non-dermatophytic filamentous fungi

Abstract

Over 4000 cases of fungal nail, sole and palm infection recorded during a three-year study period were investigated to determine the prevalence and significance of etiologic agents other than dermatophytes and yeasts. Littman's oxgall agar, which permitted isolation of cycloheximide-sensitive species but restricted overgrowth by fast growing contaminants, was used to promote isolation of these disease agents. Non-dermatophytic filamentous fungi made up 2.3% of the confirmed etiologic agents obtained overall, and constituted 3.3% of the agents obtained from nail infections. The most common species were Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, Hendersonula toruloidea, and Aspergillus sydowii. Scytalidium hyalinum was recorded for the first time from Canada, and an instance of nail infection by Gymnascella dankaliensis was recorded. Only H. toruloidea and Sc. hyalinum caused palm and sole infections.