Volume: 10 Issue: 3
Year: 2022, Page: 4-8, Doi: https://doi.org/10.47799/pimr.1003.02
Received: Jan. 8, 2022 Accepted: Feb. 26, 2022 Published: Feb. 26, 2022
Introduction: Onychomycosis (OM) is a common nail disorder caused by dermatophytes, non-dermatophyte moulds and yeasts. The increased prevalence of OM along with the wide range of associated fungi necessitates the accurate laboratory isolation and identification of the causative fungus for optimal management strategies. The aim of the study was to evaluate clinical, epidemiological and mycological characteristics of OM at a tertiary care hospital in Karimnagar.
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted at Department of Microbiology for a period of one year. 109 patients clinically diagnosed as OM were subjected to detailed history, clinical examination and investigations. Nail clippings and subungual debris of OM patients were subjected to KOH preparation and culture. Isolates were identified by colony characters, pigment production, microscopic morphology.
Results: The maximum number of OM cases belonged to the age group 21-30 years with a male preponderance. Higher incidence was noted in males (71.5%) than females (28.4%). Direct microscopy of the nail clippings in 40% KOH solution was positive in 56.8% and culture was positive in 75.2% cases. The common etiological agent was dermatophytes (45.12% cases) followed by yeasts (34.14% and non dermatophyte molds (20.7% cases). T.rubrum was the commonest among dermatophytes and Candida albicans among the yeasts.
Conclusions: Although onychomycosis is not life threatening, it can cause a significant negative impact on the quality of life of infected patients. Early diagnosis and treatment is important to prevent distortion of the nails which can prevent loss of working efficiency of the commonly affected population.
Keywords: Onychomycosis, Dermatophytes, Non-dermatophyte molds
Verma, S, Hefferman, M P, Wolff, K, Goldsmith, L A, Katz, S I, Gilchrest, B A, Pallar, A S & Leffell, D J . 2008. Superficial fungal infection. Dermatology in General Medicine 1817.
Murray, S C & Dawber, R P . 2002. Onychomycosis of toenails: orthopaedic and pediatric considerations. Australas J Dermatol 43:105–117.
Andre, J & Onychomycosis, Achten G . 1987. International J Dermatol 26:481–90.
Kaur, R, Kashyap, B & Bhalla, P . 2008. Onychomycosis - Epidemiology, diagnosis and management. Indian Journal Of Medical Microbiology 26(2):108–124.
Veer, P, Pathwardhan, N S & Damle, A S . 2007. Study of onychomycosis: Prevailing fungi and pattern of infection. Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology 25:53–56.
Malik, N A, Raza N & Nasiruddin . 2009. Nondermatophyte moulds and yeasts as causative agents in onychomycosis. Journal of Pakistan Association of Dermatologist 19:74–78.
Kaur, R, Kashyap, P & Bhalla, . 2008. Onychomycosis - Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Management. Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology 26(2):108–124.
Richardson, M D, Warnock, D W & Wiley, . 2012. Fungal Infection: Diagnosis and Management. (4). (pp. 253-258) Wiley-Blackwell
Golia, Saroj & Hittinahalli, Vivek . 2012. A Study on the mycological profile of Onychomycosis. Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences (6) 1247–1255.
Suryawanshi, R S, Wanjare, S W, Koticha, A H & Mehta, P R . 2017. Onychomycosis: dermatophytes to yeasts: an experience in and around Mumbai. Int J Res Med Sci 5:1959–63.
Martinez, P G, Nunes, F G, Tomimori-Yamashita, J, Urrutia, M, Zarror, L, Fishman, Silva V & O . 2009. Mycopathologia 168:111–116.
Kaur, R, Kashyap, B & Bhalla, P . 2007. A five- year survey of onychomycosis in NewDelhi,India: Epiemiology and laboratory aspects. Indian Journal of Dermatology 52:39–42.
Adhikari, L, Gupta, A D, Pal, R & Singh, Tsk . 2009. Clinico-etiologic correlates of onychomycosis in Sikkim. Indian J. Pathol. Microbiol 52:194.
Kulkarni, Smita, Bhakre, Jayshree & Damle, A S . 2017. Clinico Mycological Study of Onychomycosis in Tertiary Care Centre of Maharashtra. Int J Curr Microbiol App Sci 6(11):2718–2725.
Borah, N, Sharma, A & Hazarika, D . 2018. Clinico-mycological profile of onychomycosis in Assam, India. Int J Res Med Sci 6:2656–61.
Sarkar, Moumita & Ray, Reena . 2016. Clinico- Mycological Profile of Onychomycosis -A Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Kolkata. Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences 15(9):78–83.
Leelavathi, M, Tzar, M N & Adawiah, J . 2012. Common Microorganisms Causing Onychomycosis in Tropical Climate. Sains Malaysiana 41:697–700.
Sri Sandhya K, Sita Maha Laxmi B. Study of Clinico-mycological profile of onychomycosis at a tertiary care hospital. Perspectives in Medical Research. 2022;10(3):4-8 DOI: 10.47799/pimr.1003.02