ABSTRACT
Onychomycosis is a very common and widespread disorder. Psoriasis is one of the most frequent dermatosis affecting nails. This study was performed to demonstrate the prevalence of onychomycosis in psoriatic patients with nail change. The study was carried out on 100 psoriatic patients from Dermatology Department, Tanta University Hospital in the period from March 2011 to February 2012. They were complaining of nail changes and 50 persons as control group who were free from systemic or dermatological diseases [including psoriasis] and were complaining of nail abnormalities. Nail pieces were collected and subjected to direct microscopic examination. Two plates of Sabouraud dextrose agar with and without 0.5microg/ml of cyclohexamide and 16ug/ml of chloramphenicol to inhibit the growth of contaminating molds and bacteria. Microscopic examination of the suspected colonies after staining with lactophenol cotton blue was effective in specific distinguishing of the fungal elements. It was found that more fungi were isolated from older age group. There was no significant relationship between fungal infections and sex. Clinical and mycological results of this study suggested that there is no statistical difference between prevalence of onychomycosis in psoriatic patients and non-psoriatic individuals