Subclinical onychomycosis

NewsBot · Sep 10, 2014

Members do not see these Ads. Sign Up.
When is Onychomycosis, Onychomycosis?
Shemer A, Gupta A, Farhi R, Daigle D, Amichai B.
Br J Dermatol. 2014 Sep 5. doi: 10.1111/bjd.13389.

BACKGROUND:
The presence of fungal organisms in healthy-looking toenails has previously been reported in individuals with a known dermatophyte infection and in those with onycholysis, but has not been extensively studied in individuals who do not present with foot pathology.
OBJECTIVE:
The objective of the current study was to determine the prevalence of fungal organisms in the toenails and on the soles of normal-appearing feet.
METHODS:
Adults who visited a dermatology clinic between June 2012 and February 2013 for concerns unrelated to fungal infection of the nails and feet participated in this study. Participants' feet were clinically examined and skin and nail samples were collected and sent to the laboratory for potassium hydroxide (KOH) light microscopy and culture.
RESULTS:
Five-hundred and eighty-five individuals with normal-appearing feet and toenails participated in this study. Fungal organisms were detected in 9.2%, 3.9% and 3.1% of participants' toenails by KOH, culture, and a combination of KOH and culture, respectively; while fungal organisms were present on the soles of the feet of 7.0%, 2.9%, and 1.4% of participants by KOH, culture, and both these methods combined, respectively. A significant association between the presence of fungal organisms in toenails and on the soles of the feet was found (p < .001).
CONCLUSIONS:
The presence of fungal organisms in the nail even in the absence of clinical signs may be termed 'subclinical' onychomycosis. The normal-appearing nail plate may act as a reservoir for infectious dermatophyte and non-dermatophyte organisms. When left unimpeded by the host's immune system, these organisms are inclined to proliferate to produce clinically-apparent disease. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Click to expand...

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

Fluorescence imaging device detects subclinical wound infection

Subclinical Musculoskeletal Disease in Patients With Psoriasis

Subclinical nerve entrapements in runners

Recommendation for Onychomycosis prophylaxis, post nail avulsion ?

Assessment of Visual Diagnosis by Podiatrists for HPV and Onychomycosis:

Inactivation of Dermatophytes Causing Onychomycosis and Its Therapy Using Non-Thermal Plasma

Google Search Trends in Onychomycosis

Share This Page