Onychomycosis in Adana, Turkey: A 5-year study

Background Onychomycosis results from invasion of the nail plate by dermatophytes, yeasts or mould species of fungi. This report documents the etiological agents of onychomycosis in Adana, Turkey. Methods Results of mycological tests of nail clippings or subungal scrapings collected in the period between 1998 and 2002 were analyzed. Both the direct microscopy and the cultures of the nail material were performed to identify the causative agent. Results Out of a total of 388 cases examined, finger (12.4%) and toenail (87.6%) involvement, 155 (39.9%), were mycologically proven cases of onychomycosis (15 finger, 140 toenail). Among the 98 specimens from positive fungal cultures, dermatophytes were isolated in 74 (75.5%), and yeasts in 24 (24.5%). Trichophyton rubrum was the most common causative agent (48.0%), followed by T. mentagophytes var. interdigitale (26.6%), Candida tropicalis (11.2%), C. albicans (9.2%), C. glabrata (2.0%), C. krusei (2.0%) and Epidermophyton floccosum (1.0%). Conclusions Dermatophyte fungi, especially T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes var. interdigitale, were responsible for most of the infections.