Mycological Exams Research Articles

Non-conformities in the Pre-analytical Phase at the Parasitology-Mycology Laboratory of the Mohammed VI University Hospital in Oujda.

The Parasitology-Mycology Laboratory's analytical process involves three stages: pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical. Our focus is on the pre-analytical phase (PAP). This study addresses managing PAP non-conformities at Mohammed VI University Hospital in Oujda, aligning with quality standards like ISO 15189 and GBEAand aiming to detect and resolve deviations. This 84-month retrospective study analyzed specimens at the Parasitology-Mycology lab in the Mohammed VI University Hospital in Oujda. Examination requests were made through the hospital's IT system (HOSIX), and samples were transported pneumatically. After administrative and technical checks, samples were rejected, processed, or retained for correction based on findings. Reports of non-conformities were sent to prescribers via the IT system. Data were analyzed and flowcharts were created using Microsoft Excel (Redmond, USA). During the study period, prescription errors were the most common non-conformities (65.88%; n=56), followed by sample nature errors (29.41%; n=25) and sample packaging errors (4.70%; n=4). Prescription discrepancies, mycological exams for patients on antifungal treatment or carrying Henna, and missing clinical information were the main causes. Outpatient samples accounted for 29.41% of non-conformities, while inpatient samples accounted for 70.59%. The majority of inpatient non-conformities came from the dermatology department (n=42; 49.41%). The pre-analytical phase in Parasitology-Mycology is crucial for ensuring accurate results, involving the coordination of various stages such as staff training, documentation, and non-conformity management. Prescription errors were predominant among non-conformities, followed by sample nature and packaging errors. Outpatient samples had fewer non-conformities compared to inpatient ones, possibly due to supervision by a biologist. Non-conformities lead to therapeutic, prognostic, and economic issues, underscoring the need for their reduction. Corrective actions are crucial, along with establishing policies for error detection and control. Potential causes of non-conformities can be analyzed using methods like the 5M approach. Suggestions for improvement include distributing a validated sampling manual, creating electronic test request forms, staff training, ongoing training programs, and regular meetings for information exchange. The pre-analytical phase in Parasitology-Mycology is crucial, demanding a quality-focused approach for strict adherence to procedures and traceability. Mastery of this phase ensures result reliability.

Hand-foot syndrome and nail disorders secondary to treatment with paclitaxel: Is there a relationship with the presence of fungi?

This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of nail disorders and the presence of fungi on the nails of the hands and feet of patients with hand-foot syndrome secondary to treatment with paclitaxel. Prospective study, carried out from October 2018 to December 2019, which included 81 patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer using paclitaxel and had signs and or symptoms of hand-foot syndrome with or without nail disorders. The data were collected through interviews guided by a structured questionnaire, information from medical records and reports of mycological exams. The average age of women was 54.7 ± 7.4 years. Nail disorders occurred in 69 patients (85.2%), and of these, 43 (62.3%) were positive for fungi. The fungi were yeasts (n = 38; 69%), dermatophytes (n = 15; 27.2%) and non-dermatophyte filamentous fungi (n = 8; 14.5%). Nail disorders were the most frequent manifestations in patients with hand-foot syndrome treated with paclitaxel and occurred in 85.2% of them. It was evidenced that fungi are present on the nails of these patients and can occur in up to 65.28%. The most prevalent fungi were Candida and Trichophyton. The nail lesion was associated with the type of treatment protocol used by the patient. The results of the study point to the need to select safe management alternatives for patients, so they can prevent nail lesions and prevent the proliferation of fungi, consequently reducing negative life impact during treatment.

Onychomycosis in Psoriatic Patients with Nail Disorders: Aetiological Agents and Immunosuppressive Therapy.

Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are chronic, relapsing, immune-based diseases. Psoriatic patients may have nail involvement in 50 to 80% of cases, and this may reach 85% in patients with joint disease, in spite of the fact that the relationship between psoriasis and onychomycosis is not well established. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of onychomycosis in patients with nail disorders and diagnosis of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. This was a cross-sectional study in which 38 patients diagnosed with psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis were interviewed and had altered nail samples analysed by mycological and histopathological exams. Twenty-two (57.89%) patients had a confirmed diagnosis for onychomycosis. Seventeen (44.8%) had a positive direct mycological examination, 16 (42.1%) had positive cultures, and 12 (31.6%) were positive for fungi by histopathological examination. Dermatophytes were identified in nine (56.3%) cultures, and of these, eight were Trichophyton rubrum and one T. tonsurans. Yeasts were isolated in seven patients (43.75%), which included four Candida parapsilosis and three C. albicans. Six patients (15.78%) were not using immunosuppressive therapy, and the others were using methotrexate, etanercept, adalimumab, infliximab, secukinumab, or golimumab, in monotherapy or in combination with other drugs. The confirmed onychomycosis rate in patients using methotrexate alone was 92.8% (n = 13). We concluded that it is possible that there is a positive relationship between psoriatic disease and onychomycosis. And we highlight that it is also worth investigating in the future the possible role of immunosuppressive therapy (mainly methotrexate) as a predisposing factor for the development of fungal infections in psoriatic patients.

Prevalence and Antifungal Susceptibility of the Emerging Fungal Species, Candida nivariensis, Isolated in a Teaching Hospital in Poland.

The data on susceptibility to antifungals of new species within Candida glabrata complex are limited. Our study was to enrich a global knowledge of yeast epidemiology and drug resistance. The study was focused on the identification of species within clinical isolates of the C. glabrata complex and on the determination of their resistance to antifungals. Four hundred forty-five clinical C. glabrata sensu lato strains were isolated from different clinical samples at routine mycological exams at the Infant Jesus Teaching Hospital in Warsaw. The identification of the most of tested isolates to species complex level was performed using the ID 32 C system. The identification of C. nivariensis and C. bracarensis species within the C. glabrata complex was performed by DNA sequencing. The MICs of amphotericin B, fluconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole, caspofungin, anidulafungin, and micafungin were determined by E-test. Twenty-four isolates did not have an ITS-1 region, characteristic of C. glabrata sensu stricto and their D1/D2 regions of the 26S rRNA were 99% homologous to C. nivariensis 26S rRNA. No strains of C. bracarensis were recovered. C. nivariensis strains were very susceptible to amphotericin B, anidulafungin, micafungin, and caspofungin. Ninety-two percent of C. nivariensis were resistant to itraconazole. The halves of the strains was resistant to posaconazole. Eighty-three percent of C. nivariensis were susceptible to voriconazole. None of the tested strains were susceptible to fluconazole. In the present study, none of the C. nivariensis strains were simultaneously resistant to azoles and echinocandins. C. nivariensis should be recognized as an emerging pathogen, resistant to azoles.

Phoma (Peyronellaea) spp.: a phytopathogen as a cause of cystic phaeohyphomycosis in a diabetic patient

Abstract Male, 63-year-old with diabetes type 2, resident of the North coast, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, was referred to the dermatology health service at Santa Casa de Porto Alegre due to a nodular subcutaneous lesion on the left ankle in May 2012. He was forwarded to direct and cultural mycological exams, as well as microculture technique for the induction of sporulation. Through the latter, fruiting structures with the presence of pycnidia and dematiaceous hyphae were observed. After molecular identification it was identified a phaeohyphomycosis caused by Phoma Peyronellaea) spp.

Clinical and pathological aspects of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in cats

ABSTRACT: Interstitial lung diseases are a group of diffuse parenchymal lung diseases that include interstitial lung fibrosis. The aim of this study is to characterize the clinical and pathological findings of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in three cats and to investigate possible etiological agents through bacteriological and mycological exams and immunohistochemistry. All three cats were female and aged from 10 to 14 years old, they presented with a clinical history of weight loss and dyspnea. The radiographic changes were similar in all cats and included increased pulmonary radiopacity with a mixed bronchointerstitial pattern progressing to an alveolar pattern. Two cats died during lung biopsy procedures. At necropsy, the lesions were limited to the pulmonary parenchyma and were firm, hypocrepitant with a multinodular appearance on the pleural surface; they failed to completely collapse when the thorax was opened. In the pleural region, there were multifocal star-shaped scarring lesions, with parenchymal retraction. Microscopically, all three cats had multifocal-to-coalescing fibrosis, type II pneumocyte hyperplasia, hypertrophy or hyperplasia of the smooth muscle tissue of terminal bronchioles and an accumulation of macrophages within the alveolar spaces. There was no growth on bacteriological or mycological cultures, and the immunohistochemical evaluations for the presence of viral etiological agents (FIV, FeLV, FCoV, FCV and FHV-1) were also negative.

Clinical profile of recurrent vesicular palmoplantar dermatitis in children and adolescents.

BackgroundPreviously known as dyshidrosis, recurrent vesicular palmoplantar dermatitis (RVPD) is presented as severe eruption of nonerythematous, symmetrical vesicles or bullae located along the lateral sides of fingers, on the palmar or plantar areas, and developing into a chronic and recurrent condition. Although very frequently observed on the hands, there are no specific studies about such eczema in children and adolescents.ObjectivesTo report on the RVPD clinical profile in children and adolescents, and monitor the association of RVPD with seasonal variations, hyperhidrosis, atopy and nickel sulfate.Materials and methodsEighteen patients affected by RVPD were submitted to clinical and laboratory assessment through anamnesis, physical exam, mycological exam, patch test, complete blood count and serum IgE levels.ResultsSeven patients (38.9%) reported increased frequency of eruptions during the summer months; 12 patients (66.7%) presented hyperhidrosis; in 14 cases (77.8%), atopic factors were determined; reaction to nickel sulfate was positive in three patients (16.7%).ConclusionRVPD onset may occur at an early age, developing into a chronic and recurrent infection. Hyperhidrosis and atopic status was established in the clinical profile and no connection between nickel sulfate and RVPD was observed.

Epidemiological profile of cutaneous superficial mycoses in South, Brazil

Cutaneous superficial mycoses appear as lesions on the skin, hair and nails. The highest prevalence is of fungal infections caused by the fungi of the genus Microsporum , Epidermophyton , Trichophyton , Candida and Malassezia . These mycoses are common in tropical regions and are commonly neglected due to lack of patient knowledge, difficult diagnosis and lack of access to health facilities, which makes them a public health problem. In research, mycological examination of patients using Basic Health Units (BHU) was carried out in order to diagnose mycoses. Through this action, it was possible to diagnose and refer to the appropriate treatment 5359 patients, seeking to improve their quality of life. From the results of the mycological exams of these patients during the period from 2011 to 2016, it was possible to trace the epidemiological profile of the State of Rio Grande do Sul and the most prevalent species, contributing to the accomplishment of measures in public health.

Cryptococcosis in an Infectious Diseases Hospital of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Revision of 2041 cases: Diagnosis, clinical features and therapeutics

BackgroundCryptococcosis is still a life-threatening mycosis that continues to be of serious concern in Latin American countries, especially among HIV+positive population. However, there is not any reliable information about the prevalence of this disease in this region. AimsThe aim of this study is to report data of 2041 patients with cryptococcosis that were attended at the Infectious Diseases Hospital F. J. Muñiz over a 30 year-period. MethodsInformation about demographic and clinical data, survival time and the applied treatment, was taken from the Mycology Unit database. Mycological exams from different clinical samples were performed. Cryptococcal capsular antigen in serum and cerebrospinal fluid was detected through the latex agglutination technique. Cryptococcus isolates were phenotypically identified and the genotype was determined in some of them. Susceptibility tests were carried out following M27-A3 document. ResultsSeventy five percent of HIV+positive patients and 50% of the HIV-negative population were males. Mean ages were 34.1 in HIV+positive patients and 44.8 in the HIV-negative. Cryptococcosis was associated with AIDS in 98% of the cases. Meningeal compromise was seen in 90% of the patients. Although cerebrospinal fluid rendered more positive results, blood culture was the first diagnostic finding in some cases. Cryptococcal antigen showed positive results in 96.2% of the sera samples and in the 93.1% of the cerebrospinal fluid samples. Most of the isolates were Cryptococcus neoformans and belonged to genotype VNI. Minimal inhibitory concentration values were mostly below the epidemiological cutoff values. ConclusionsWe observed that thanks to a high level of clinical suspicion, early diagnosis, combined therapy and intracranial pressure control by daily lumbar punctures, the global mortality rate has markedly decreased through the years in the analyzed period.

Candidoza orală – o complicaţie a gurii uscate

Introduction. Oral candidiasis is a complication of dry mouth witch is not present in all cases, but its prevalence remains high. Material and method. 29 patients aged 45 to 82 years suffering from dry mouth caused by various general conditions were selected for this study. Clinical examinations were performed and all the lesions of oral mucosa were counted. The accurate diagnosis of oral candidiasis was established by the mycological exam. Results. 66% of patients involved in this study presented oral candidiasis confirmed by the laboratory. The atrophic and hyperplasic oral candidiasis were the most common clinical types found in this study. Conclusions. The prevalence of oral candidiasis remains relatively high among patients suffering from dry mouth; therefore dentists should treat or guide them to a specialist.

Prevalence of Candida tropicalis and Candida krusei in onychomycosis in João Pessoa, Paraiba, Brazil from 1999 to 2010.

Over time, as the etiology of onychomycosis has developed, yeasts from the genus Candida have emerged as important etiological agents. This study aimed to determine the frequency of yeast caused onychomycosis in Joao Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil from 1999 to 2010. A retrospective study from January 1999 to December 2010 evaluated the results of onychomycosis positive direct mycological exams (DME) - for yeast and realized in the Hemato(r) Clinical Laboratory. Women were the most affected by onychomycosis which occur preferentially in adults, and the toenails are the favorite yeast targets. The prevalent yeasts were Candida tropicalis and C. krusei.

ONICOMICOSE EM DOENTES COM PSORÍASE – UMA ENTIDADE SUBESTIMADA?

Introdução: As alterações ungueais em doentes com psoríase podem decorrer ou agravar-se mediante infecção fúngica, cujo risco se poderá encontrar aumentado decorrente de terapêuticas imunossupressoras e alterações estruturais do prato ungueal. A prevalência de onicomicose em psoriáticos é ainda alvo de controvérsia na literatura. O objetivo deste estudo é determinar a prevalência de onicomicose em doentes com psoríase e alterações ungueais observados em consulta externa no decorrer de um ano.Material e Métodos: Estudo prospetivo observacional realizado através da recolha de dados clínicos e colheita de escamas ungueais para exame micológico direto a fresco e cultura. Os dados obtidos foram tratados com os programas Excel e R.Resultados: Dos 47 doentes incluídos, 33 eram do sexo masculino. A média etária foi 55 anos. Vinte e sete doentes (55%) tinham alterações ungueais nas mãos, com NAPSI médio de 3.5. Foi isolada Candida albicans em 6 culturas (22%). Das alterações estudadas, ponteado e linhas longitudinais correlacionaram-se significativamente com cultura negativa (p<0.05). Observaram-se alterações ungueais nos pés em 44 doentes (94%), com NAPSI médio de 3.7. A cultura foi positiva em 11 exames (25%), 7 das quais com isolamento de dermatófito. Não houve correlação estatisticamente significativa entre as alterações ungueais e o resultado da cultura.Conclusão: Na população estudada observou-se uma prevalência superior de onicomicose em relação à população em geral. Ponteado e linhas longitudinais foram preditores negativos de onicomicose das mãos.

Coexistence of opportunistic mycosis and mycobacterium tuberculosis in patients attending the Central Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory of Ghaemshahr city, Iran

IntroductionOpportunistic fungal organisms, such as Aspergillus and Candida species, tend to cause diseases in tuberculosis (TB) patients. Respiratory tract mycosis has clinical and radiological characteristics which are very similar to TB, thereby making the disease easily misdiagnosed. TB can be a predisposition to serious opportunistic fungal infections. Prolonged use of anti-TB drugs promotes the growth and reproduction of opportunistic fungi and, in turn, aggravates the course of the underlying process in the lung tissues. The study objective is to determine fungal coexistence with mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) in patients attending the Central Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory of the Health Center in Ghaemshahr city, Iran. Material and methodsTwenty-five participants were recruited into the study during two months. For each patient, three successive morning samples during one month were collected into sterile wide-neck universal sputum mugs. Specimen collection was taken for analysis at the Laboratory. None of the participants in this study had been placed on anti-fungal therapy. Sputa samples were studied for fungal elements and MTB. Direct microscopy by three stainings – KOH+Calcofluor white, Gomori-methenamine-silver and Giemsa – and fungal culture were done on Sabouraud Dextrose agar. Analysis for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) was done by the Ziehl–Neelsen technique. ResultsA total of 75 fresh sputa samples were collected. Branching hyphae in 10 samples of 5 (20%) patients and pseudo-hyphae and blastoconidia in 12 samples of 5 (20%) patients were seen together with TB. Aspergillus flavus and Candida albicans were identified in the culture method and mycological exams. DiscussionMycotic disease is an important coexistence in patients with TB. Although active mycosis may be an independent marker of advanced immunosuppression, it may also act as a co-factor in accelerating and amplifying the clinical course of TB disease. It is necessary in TB patients to increase the cure rate considering coexistencing opportunistic infections.

Chronic Necrotizing Pulmonary Aspergillosis in a Patient with Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma Following Radiotherapy

Chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis is characterized by a pulmonary infiltration with cavitation in patients with chronic pulmonary disease, slight immunodeficiency or healthy patients. A 57-year-old man with non-small cell carcinoma who has had radiotherapy was admitted with a history of left side pleuritic chest pain, non-productive cough, fever and dyspnea. Aspergillus fumigatus was found in his mycological exams of BAL fluid. Serum examination presented positive galactomannan. Final diagnosis was semi-invasive pulmonary aspergillosis treated with voriconazole.

Eco-epidemiologic study of emerging fungi related to the work of babaçu coconut breakers in the State of Maranhão, Brazil

There are more than 300,000 extractors using the babaçu coconut as a source of income in the States of Maranhão, Pará, Tocantins and Piauí, and this activity is associated with fungal infections. The objective of this study was to examine the occurrence of emergent fungi in the conjunctiva, nails and surface and subcutaneous injuries of female coconut breakers in Esperantinópolis, Maranhão. Additionally, soil samples and palm structures were collected. The obtained samples were cultured in Petri dishes containing potato-dextrose-agar and chloramphenicol. The etiological agent was confirmed by a direct mycological exam and growth in culture. In total, 150 domiciles were visited, and samples were collected from 80 patients. From the ground, the most frequently isolated fungus was Aspergillus niger (53. 8%). the most frequently detected fungus in babaçu coconut was Aspergillus niger (66.7%). Conjunctival fungal growth occurred in 76.3% of the women. The ocular fungal microbiota consisted of filamentous fungi (80.6%), and yeasts were present in 19.4% of cases. Onychomycosis was diagnosed in 44% (11/25) of the women. The identification of the genera Neosartorya, Rhizopus and Curvularia in onychomycoses shows that emergent filamentous fungi can be isolated. Aspergillus sp., Penicillium sp. and Scedosporium sp. were the predominant genera found in the babaçu coconut. From ocular conjunctiva, Candida spp. were the most prevalent species isolated, and Fusarium sp. was present only in one woman. The nearly permanent exposure of coconut breakers to the external environment and to the soil is most likely the reason for the existence of a mycotic flora and fungal infections, varying according to the individual's practices and occupation.

A rare case of pityriasis amiantacea of the scalp posing differential diagnosis challenges to fungal skin infections

Background Pityriasis amiantacea is an uncommon clinical syndrome of the scalp with a particular reaction pattern seen in a number of inflammatory and infectious dermatoses such as seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, lichen planus, pityriasis rubra pilaris and various superficial pyogenic or fungal infections. The syndromic diagnosis may be established by the infectionist or dermatologist by clinical examination; additional tests like histopathologic examination, bacteriologic, mycological exam and cultures are needed in order to diagnose the underlying disease, which in many cases remains unknown. The condition is characterized by thick, silvery, asbestos-like scales binding proximally the hair shafts. It is more common in women and in young patients. Common complications include temporary or scarring alopecia. The etiopathogeny, the methods of diagnosis as well as the management options are still being subjects for debate.

Geotrichum candidum as a possible cause of bovine abortion

Geotrichum spp. are ubiquitous, saprotrophic fungi found in soil, organic matter, and silage, as a contaminant in food products and in the digestive tracts of mammals. The current study reports a case of Geotrichum candidum infection with dermatitis in an aborted bovine fetus with skin and lung lesions. A 6-month-old aborted male Holstein Friesian fetus displayed unusual lesions on the skin of the abdomen, thorax, and head, which was excessively thickened and wrinkled. These changes corresponded to orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis, neutrophil accumulation in the stratum corneum, a pyogranulomatous inflammatory infiltrate, and superficial dermal necrosis. Moderate suppurative multifocal pneumonia was observed. Large numbers of mononuclear cells and occasional fibrin thrombi within blood vessels were found in the lungs, brain, and cerebellum. Gridley staining revealed fungal structures within the skin lesions. The mycological exam demonstrated the growth of G. candidum, and phase contrast microscopy conducted on the abomasal fluid revealed hyphae compatible with this agent. The skin lesions observed, in association with the fungus isolated, indicated that the abortion was due to G. candidum infection of the bovine fetus.

Utilization of fluconazole in an intensive care unit at a university hospital in Brazil

Fungi have been developing resistance and merit greater attention because these microorganisms are among the major causes of hospital infection. The aim of the present study was to characterize the pattern of fluconazole use in an adult intensive care unit. The setting was an intensive care unit at a university hospital in Brazil. An observational retrospective study was performed between 2007 and 2010. The use of antifungal drugs was calculated as the defined daily dose per 1,000 patient-days. The pattern of fluconazole use was determined by analyzing patient charts. Fluconazole accounted an average of 66.6 % of the antifungal agents prescribed. All of the patients exhibited important risk factors for the development of fungal infection. Treatment was empirical in 45.2 % of the cases and therapeutic in 54.8 % of the cases. The dose interval was inadequate in 51.1 % of the treatments. Fluconazole at doses ≥400 mg/day was related to a greater likelihood of survival. C. albicans was the most prevalent species (31.3 %). Urine was the biological material with the greatest number of positive mycological exams (71.9 %). This study found a high utilization of fluconazole and, in most cases, its administration at intervals that were different from the recommended intervals.

Clinical, epidemiological and mycological report on 65 patients from the Eastern Amazon region with chromoblastomycosis

Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic fungal infection caused by fungi from the Dematiaceae family. According to several studies, Fonsecaea pedrosoi is the most common of these fungi. The infection is more common in tropical countries, with the Brazilian state of Pará having one of the largest infected populations worldwide. The disease is difficult to treat and recurrences are common. To describe the epidemiological and mycological aspects of cases of chromoblastomycosis and its clinical forms in the state of Pará, Brazil. Mycological exams (direct mycological examinations, culture and microculture) were performed and a clinical/epidemiological evaluation was made of 65 patients receiving care at the Dermatology Department of the Federal University of Pará between 2000 and 2007. The clinical classification proposed by Carrión in 1950 was used in this study. The majority of the patients were male (93.8%), agricultural workers (89.2%) of 45 to 55 years of age, and the majority of lesions (55.4%) were of the verrucous type, located principally on the lower limbs (81.5%). In the majority of the cases investigated (61.5%), the infection had been present for a long time, with a mean duration of 11 years. Direct mycological examination was performed in 86.2% of the patients (n=56). Of these, 96.4% (n=54) tested positive. Culture and microculture were performed in vitro in 47 cases of those that tested positive at direct microscopy, results showing Fonsecaea pedrosoi to be the only agent present in this sample. This study highlighted the extent to which chromoblastomycosis still affects the quality of life of the local population, principally individuals working in agriculture. This is a chronic disease for which there is no effective treatment. The importance of continuing to investigate this disease should be emphasized, as further studies may lead to new clinical or epidemiological findings.

Fungal agents in different anatomical sites in Public Health Services in Cuiabá, state of Mato Grosso, Brazil

A contribution to the regional epidemiological profile of the most common fungal agents in Public Health Services in Cuiabá, state of Mato Grosso, including university hospitals and polyclinics. Clinical specimens (n = 1,496) from 1,078 patients were collected, submitted to direct mycological exam (potash or stick tape method) and cultured in specific mediums. Dermatophytic and non-dermatophytic agents were identified according to micromorphology (Ridell technique). The majority of the 1,496 specimens were skin (n = 985) and nail exams (n = 472). Of the 800 positive cultures, 246 (30.8%) corresponded to dermatophytes and 336 (42%) to yeasts of the genus Candida, 190 (23.7%) to other yeasts, 27 (3.4%) to non-dermatophytic filamentous fungi and one (0.1%) the agent of subcutaneous mycosis. Lesions considered primary occurred in greater numbers (59.5%) than recurrent lesions (37.4%), with a greater concentration of positivity occurring on the arms and legs. Comorbidities, allergies and diabetes mellitus were conditions associated with greater positivity in direct mycological exams and cultures. Positive culture was considered a definitive diagnosis of fungal infection and confirmed 47.8% of diagnostic hypotheses.