Non-dermatophyte moulds and yeasts as causative agents in onychomycosis

Background Although dermatophytes are the most common pathogens of onychomycosis, yeasts and non-dermatophyte moulds can also be found as causative agents.Objective To find out relative frequency of non-dermatophyte moulds and yeasts as causative agents in onychomycosis.Subjects and methods Forty patients of all age groups and either sex suffering from onychomycosis were subjected to fungal cultures. Demographic and clinical features of the patients were recorded. Nail scrapings were inoculated on fungal culture media and growth pattern studied.Results Out of 40 patients, eight (16%) were positive for fungal culture. Amongst culture positive cases 4 (50%) were dermatophytes, all of them belonging to genus trichophyton, whereas 2 (25%) were positive for Candida spp. and 2 (25%) were positive for non-dermatophyte moulds belonging to Scopulariopsis spp. and Aspergillus spp. each.Conclusion Dermatophytes remain the most common cause, but the role of yeasts and nondermatophye moulds should receive due consideration in a case of onychomycosis