Clinico mycological study of Onychomycosis

Introduction: Onychomycosis is a superficial fungal infection of the nail bed, matrix or plate, caused by dermatophytes, non-dermatophyte moulds and yeasts. Aims and Objectives: To study the epidemiological aspects, various etiological agents, clinical types, clinico etiological correlation and the changing trends. Materials and Methods: All new patients with onychomycosis were included for the study. 89 patients in all age groups were selected. KOH smear and fungal culture were performed from the nail clippings of those patients. The epidemiological factors and the clinico etiological correlation were also assessed. Results: Onychomycosis was found most commonly in the 31-60 years age group with a female preponderance. Trauma and diabetes were the most common predisposing factors. Finger nail involvement was found more than the toe nail involvement. Distal and lateral subungual onychomycosis was the most common type. Non-dermatophyte moulds were commonly isolated than dermatophytes and yeasts. The clinico etiological correlation reveals that a single pathogen may produce the various clinical types.