Abstract
Background and Objectives: Onychomycosis is a prevalent fungal nail infection caused by some species of dermatophytes,yeast, yeast like and saprophyte fungi including 15 - 35% of total nail disorders and 1/3 of total fungal infections.The aim of this study was to document the descriptive epidemiological features of fungal nail infection in the patients referred to medical mycology lab .
Material and Methods: This study was carried out on 2150 patients and continued for three years. 235 cases (10.9%) had disorders of toenails or finger nails. Direct exam of scales of nails was performed with 10-20% KOH and then cultured on Saboured dextrose agar and Mycobiotic agar medium.
Results: Eighty eight (37.4%) out of 235 patients who had nail disorders were infected with fungal agents .About 57 cases (35.0%) were female and 31 cases (40.8%) were male. Twenty one of patients were under 10 years old. The agents of infections were 60 cases ( 68.2%) species of candida, 17 cases (19.3%) dermatophyte and 11 cases (12.5%) saprophyte fungi. Candida albicans, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Scopolariopsis were the most common agents.
Conclusion: Results of this study showed that onychomycosis is an important fungal infection in patients with nail disorders.Yeast and yeast like fungi are the most prevalent agents that causes onychomycosis . Females were more infected as they are at more exposure because of many contacts to detergents and more contacts of their hands with water. Sucking the hand fingers and scratching of anal are the main reasons for nail candidal infections in children. This study revealed that Candida albicans, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Scopolariopsis are the most prevalent agents for development of onychomycosis in this area.