A study on the etiological agent and Clinico-Mycological correlation of onychomycosis

Onychomycosis is a nail infection caused by fungi, which is primary pathogens invading the healthy nail plaque or develops secondarily to a preexisting nail disease. It is a gradual process and takes time to develop. The study was conducted to find out various clinical patterns, etiologic agents and to evaluate the clinic-mycologic correlation.

Total 84 Samples of nails taken from finger and toes on clinical basis of onychomycosis. Collected nails were subjected for direct microscopy and culture.

Out of 84 samples KOH positive and culture positive are 29(35%) culture positive was 40(48%) and culture-ve in 44(52%) samples. Commonest fungi detected was dermatophytes in 33 (80%), next was Candida spp. in 7 (17.5%). Among dermatophytes T. rubrum was (52.5%) followed by T. mentagrophytes(27.5%).

The result of the study shows that only morphological change in nail does not suggest the fungal infection. It needs diagnosis for confirmation of infection.