ABSTRACT
Introduction: Onychomycosis (OM) is a common nail disorder caused by dermatophytes, non-dermatophyte moulds and yeasts. The increased prevalence of OM along with the wide range of associated fungi necessitates the accurate laboratory isola?on and iden?fica?on of the causa?ve fungus for op?mal management strategies. The aim of the study was to evaluate clinical, epidemiological and mycological characteris?cs of OM at a ter?ary care hospital in Karimnagar. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted at Department of Microbiology for a period of one year. 109 pa?ents clinically diagnosed as OM were subjected to detailed history, clinical examina?on and inves?ga?ons. Nail clippings and subungual debris of OM pa?ents were subjected to KOH prepara?on and culture. Isolates were iden?fied by colony characters, pigment produc?on, microscopic morphology. Results: The maximum number of OM cases belonged to the age group 21-30 years with a male preponderance. Higher incidence was noted in males (71.5%) than females (28.4%). Direct microscopy of the nail clippings in 40% KOH solu?on was posi?ve in 56.8% and culture was posi?ve in 75.2% cases. The common e?ological agent was dermatophytes (45.12% cases) followed by yeasts (34.14% and non dermatophyte molds (20.7% cases). T.rubrum was the commonest among dermatophytes and Candida albicans among the yeasts. Conclusions: Although onychomycosis is not life threatening, it can cause a significant nega?ve impact on the quality of life of infected pa?ents. Early diagnosis and treatment is important to prevent distor?on of the nails which can prevent loss of working efficiency of the commonly affected popula?on.