Non-dermatophytes emerging as predominant cause of onychomycosis in a tertiary care centre in rural part of Punjab, India

Abstract

Background: Onychomycosis is most commonly caused by dermatophytes belonging to the genus Trichophyton. However, Candida spp. and non-dermatophyte moulds may also be responsible. Up to 10% of cases of onychomycosis are caused by non-dermatophyte moulds and these are becoming more common worldwide. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis for a period of one year was undertaken to know the prevalence of different fung causing onychomycosis in a tertiary care hospital. Nail samples of fingers and toes collected from patients presenting with clinically suspected onychomycosis were processed by standard methods. Results: Of the 87 clinically suspected cases of onychomycosis, non-dermatophyte moulds were the most common pathogens isolated in 24 (53.33%) patients, followed by dermatophytes in 12 (26.66%) patients and Candida spp. in 9 (20%). Among the non-dermatophyte moulds, Aspergillus flavus was the most common isolate found in 15 (62.5%) cases. Conclusion: The predominant isolate obtained in this study was non-dermatophyte moulds. Among moulds, Aspergillus spp. was the most common isolate.