Onychomycosis due to Trichophyton violaceum in HIV/AIDS patients of sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

High prevalence of HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa is responsible for very high burden of mycotic infections. Also, most of the countries here have highly burdened health system compared to their health budget. Onychomycosis is a chronic fungal infection of fingers and toenails. It is usually caused by dermatophytes, yeasts, and non-dermatophyte molds (NDM). Prevalence and severity of infection is more in immunosuppressed individuals, especially with HIV/AIDS. The laboratory diagnosis of the causative organism is very important to initiate the specific treatment. Persistence of infection can be the source of infection to the patient himself by autoinoculation and to others. The treatment of HIV/AIDS is mandatory. Onychomycosis in HIV/AIDS patients is usually due to Trichophyton rubrum and involve the toenails. The reports of onychomycosis due to dermatophytes from sub-Saharan Africa are scanty. There are only two reports, which have mentioned onychomycosis due to (T.violaceum) and involvement of fingernails in HIV/AIDS.