Clinico-Mycological Profile of Onychomycosis: A Study from North-Western, India

Aims & Objectives: Onychomycosis is a chronic fungal infection of nails. For identification of the specific pathogen and effective selection of antifungal treatment, the clinical diagnosis of onychomycosis must be validated by direct microscopy and culture. The goal of the study was to determine the prevalence of onychomycosis and its cultural positive in relation to several etiological factors.

Introduction: Dermatophytes are the most common pathogens of onychomycosis, yeasts and non-dermatophyte moulds can also be found as causative agents of onychomycosis.

Materials & Methods: Nail clippings from 90 clinically suspected instances of onchomycosis were collected from O.P.D at S.M.S and E.S.I.C. hospital in Jaipur. Trauma, infection, occupation, diabetes, and personal habits (smoking, etc.) were all thoroughly investigated. Direct microscopy using a 20% KOH examination method and fungal culture on SDA and Dermatophyte Test Media were used to make the diagnosis.

Results: Out of 90 onychomycosis patients, 80 (88.9%) tested positive for KOH, whereas 33 (36.7%) tested positive in culture. Dermatophytes, non-dermatophytes, and yeasts were identified as etiological agents of onychomycosis in this investigation. Patients with distal subungual onchomycosis were shown to have a common type of onychomycosis. Trichophyton rubrum was found to be the most common species among the culture positive cases, followed by Trichophyton mentagrophyte and Trichophyton tonsurans. Non dermatophyte molds were also isolated from white superficial onychomycosis and Candida species was isolated from Candida onychomycosis. In our study, the majority of patients were in the age groups of 41-50 and 51-60 years, and males were the most usually affected. According to the study, the majority of patients infected with onychomycosis infection were service class and sportsmen, followed by labours, housewives, unemployed, students, and farmers.

Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it is possible to conclude that onychomycosis is a significant public health issue, and that accurate diagnosis of onychomycosis by direct microscopy and fungal culture is required for appropriate management of such cases.