A case report of a mixed Chaetomium globosum/Trichophyton mentagrophytes onychomycosis

Abstract

Recently, an increasing prevalence of nondermatophyte mold onychomycosis was observed, in which Chaetomium globosum was rarely involved as primary pathogenic agent. Besides this, reports of mixed infection associating a dermatophyte and a nondermatophyte mold have become more frequent. Here, we present a clinical case of a mixed onychomycosis infection of a toenail caused by Chaetomium globosum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. To our knowledge, this specific association is reported for the first time in Canada.

Molecular identification and antifungal susceptibility of clinical fungal isolates from onychomycosis (uncommon and emerging species)

“…Chaetomium globosum has been rarely involved in subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis, as well as pulmonary and cerebral infections. The NDMs has a share of 0.3% in nail disorders . In the current study, the in vitro susceptibility testing showed that terbinafine, considered as the main treatment of choice for onychomycosis caused by Chaetomium, had no favourable activity against this species, despite the fact that the affected nails in the previous cases demonstrated a complete recovery by this drug .…”

Diversity and taxonomy ofChaetomiumand chaetomium-like fungi from indoor environments

“…This species is also the most common human pathogen mainly associated with onychomycosis (Naidu et al., 1991, Stiller et al., 1992, Aspiroz et al., 2007, Latha et al., 2010, Tullio et al., 2010, Hwang et al., 2012, Lagacé and Cellier, 2012, Kim et al., 2013). In addition, some other indoor chaetomium-like species were also reported in clinical cases, such as D. funicola (= C. funicola , Koch & Haneke 1965), O. brasiliensis (= C. brasiliense , Hubka et al.…”

Phylogenetic reassessment of the <I>Chaetomium globosum</I> species complex

“…Chaetomium globosum is known as one of the causal agents of human onychomycosis ( Naidu et al 1991 , Stiller et al 1992 , Aspiroz et al 2007 , Latha et al 2010 , Tullio et al 2010 , Hubka et al 2011 , Hwang et al 2012 , Lagacé & Cellier 2012 , Kim et al 2013 ) and skin infection of other animals ( Sugiyama et al 2008 ). However, whether this species and close relatives can cause systemic and deep infections remains controversial ( Hoppin et al 1983 , Abbott et al 1995 , Yeghen et al 1996 , Lesire et al 1999 , Barron et al 2003 , Paterson et al 2005 , De Hoog et al 2013 ).…”

“…As a common contaminant in indoor environments, C. globosum has been recognised as a health hazard mainly due to the production of mycotoxins, microbial volatile organic compounds and airborne fungal fragments or ascospores that, when inhaled, may contribute to the development of symptoms of rhinitis, asthma and other health problems ( Gonianakis et al 2005 , Vesper et al 2007 , Apetrei et al 2009 , Polizzi et al 2009 , Ayanbimpe et al 2010 , Mason et al 2010 , Andersen et al 2011 , Miller & McMullin 2014 ). Chaetomium globosum has also been reported to infect humans, and is most commonly associated with onychomycosis, a disease with increasing incidence reports worldwide over recent decades ( Hoppin et al 1983 , Naidu et al 1991 , Stiller et al 1992 , Yeghen et al 1996 , Lesire et al 1999 , Aspiroz et al 2007 , Latha et al 2010 , Tullio et al 2010 , Hubka et al 2011 , Hwang et al 2012 , Lagacé & Cellier 2012 , Kim et al 2013 ).…”