A study on non-dermatophyte moulds as pathogens of onychomycosis

Abstract

Introduction: Onychomycosis, a fungal infection of nails is ordinarily caused by dermatophytes non dermatophytes and yeasts. The isolation of non-dermatophyte moulds in onychomycosis specimens are being reported increasingly in different geographic regions. Therefore aim of this study was to determine the role and pattern of non- dermatophyte moulds as causative agents of onychomycosis. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out from September 2017 to September 2018 and 70 samples were included in the study. KOH examination and culture have been carried out in all the samples. Moulds were identified based on colony morphology, microscopic examination with Lacto phenol cotton blue stain (LPCB) and slide culture & Yeasts were identified by Gram staining germ tube test‚ urease test and using Chrome agar. Results: Out of 70 samples 42(61%) showed growth in culture, among this most common isolate belongs to non- dermatophyte fungi. Fusarium species (45%) was the most common among the non dermatophyte isolates followed by candida species. Curvulera, Acremonium sps‚ Fonsacea and Trichosporon species were the other non-dermatophyte moulds isolated. Conclusion: Non-dermatophyte moulds should be considered as important pathogens with a high index of suspicion in evaluating the patients with culture negative for dermatophytes or those subjects ending up in treatment failure. Keywords: Non- dermatophyte moulds, Dermatophytes, Onychomycosis, Yeast, Fusarium.