Abstract
The molecular properties of Trichophyton rubrum associated with onychomycosis in adults attending selected tertiary and secondary health facilities in Benue State, Nigeria were investigated. The prevalence of onychomycosis, co-morbidities, onychomycosis related health histories, and infecting strains of Trichophyton rubrum were considered. Due ethical clearance was obtained, and informed consent granted by participants. The research employed purposive random sampling technique. Three hundred and eighty-four (384) adults aged 18 years and above, with visible symptoms of onychomycosis were recruited. Nail samples were collected, disinfected and examined. Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) was used for fungal cultures. Laboratory procedures included microscopy and morphological characterization of isolates. Toenails were more infected 210 (68.48%) than fingernails 8 (18.18%). The fungal species with the highest frequency of occurrence was T. rubrum 159 (70.36%), while the least was Candida spp. 19 (8. 49%). Allele-Specific Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) revealed new sub-repeat elements in the non-transcribed region of the rDNA spacer of T. rubrum. The study has documented onychomycosis prevalence rates and helped provide insight into the infecting species in Benue State. This will help develop appropriate treatment and intervention guidelines. Further and advanced molecular typing methods for enhanced understanding of infecting fungal strains is recommended.
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