Topic:

Mycology, Fungal Infections and Antifungal Drugs

Abstract No.:

ISE.406

Title:

Mycoepidemiological survey of the Tinea unguium in Tehran, 2010-2011

Author(s):

A. Nasrollahi Omran; islamic azad university of tonekabon branch, medical mycology, Tonekabon/IR

Abstract:

Background: Tinea ungium is a dermatophytosis infection of the nail. It is a common mycosis in many part of the world, including Iran. The prevalence of this mycosis is varied depending on time, health level and geographical location. It can be caused by anthropophilic or zoophilic dermatophytes. Most common agents are T. rubrum, T. mentagrophytes and (interdigital) otheragents are E. floccosum, T. tonsurans and T. violaceum. The Purpose of the present study was to isolate and identify the causative fungi of tinea unguium in population of Tehran, Iran.
Methods: Nail samples from 784 patients clinically suspected of Tinea unguium between from 2009 to 2010 were examined both by direct microscopical observation of fungal elements in KOH preparations and in culture for the identification of the causative agent. All sampleswere inoculated on Sabouraud dextrose agar, SDA with 5%  chloramphenicol and cycloheximide in duplicate for dermatophytes isolation.
Results: out of 784 cases which were examined, 87cases were mycologically proven cases of Tinea unguium (66.66% male, 33.33% female), in fingernail, toenails or in the both sites. Two patients (2.30%) had Tinea unguium in hand and 38 patients (43.38%) had infection in their finger nails &toe nails and 5 patients (5.75%) had both of those infections and 42 patients (48.28%) had infection in their toe nails with Tinea pedis.
Conclusion: From an etiological point of view, 80% of nail infections were caused by T. mentagrophytes followed by T. rubrum 17.5% and E. floccosum 2.5%. The highestprevalence of Tinea unguium was found in male and in patients between 51 and 60 years of age. The result of the present study showed that 11% of suspected patients had Tinea unguium.