Yeasts of the genus Candida are the dominant cause of onychomycosis in Libyan women but not men: results of a 2-year surveillance study

Abstract

SummaryBackground The reported frequency of recovery of fungi from infected nails varies according to the geographical area. Objectives To establish the nature of the causal agents in a sample of the Libyan population presenting with suspected onychomycosis. Methods Samples were taken from the infected fingernails of 648 patients attending the Tripoli Medical Centre. Results Samples from 500 patients proved positive for fungi following culturing, while 476 were potassium hydroxide and culture positive. Of the culture-positive samples, yeasts of the genus Candida (C. albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. glabrata, C. guillermondii and C. tropicalis) were the dominant cause of this condition in women (417 of 434, 96%) but were responsible for only a minority of cases in men (three of 66, 5%). In contrast, dermatophytes (Trichophyton violaceum, T. rubrum, T. mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis) were responsible for this condition in the majority of cases in men (53 of 66, 80%) but only 3% (15 of 434) of cases in women. The mould Aspergillus nidulans was isolated from the nails of 10 (15%) men and two (0AE5%) women. Conclusions The data obtained in this study reveal an almost total separation of the aetiological agents responsible for onychomycosis based on gender.

Prevalence of Candida tropicalis and Candida krusei in onychomycosis in João Pessoa, Paraiba, Brazil from 1999 to 2010

“…With respect to most of patients being adults (65%) and females (87.5%), it corroborates the studies performed by Martins et al (2007) and Brilhante et al (2005). Probably women are more likely to be exposed to cleaning product aggressions, as well as to contact with water, and to shoes that promote trauma to nails, favoring fungi penetration, which also explains the prevalence of onychomycosis in toenails (Ellabib et al 2002, Brilhante et al 2005, Martins et al 2007. Given the results presented, it can be concluded that onychomycosis affects both the toenail and women more frequently, and the predominant species of the Candida genus are C. krusei and C. tropicalis.…”

“…Among the etiologic agents of onychomycosis yeasts, dermatophytes and non-dermatophyte filamentous fungi stand out, with dermatophytes being considered the main causal agents, followed by yeasts (Faergemann and Baran 2003, Ballesté et al 2003, Tosti et al 2005. Onychomycosis caused by yeast have become increasingly common in medical practice, and have come to represent 75% of all cases in Líbya (Ellabib et al 2002), 59.1% in Rome (Mercantini et al 1996, 49.1% in Rio de Janeiro (Araujo et al 2003), and46.3% in Maringá-PR, Brazil (Souza et al 2007). Due to the variety JULIANA M.M.…”

Allergy and Dermatophytes

“…In countries with warm climates and other geographic regions, different dermatophyte species may be involved; however, T. rubrum remains one of the most frequent clinical isolates. For example, in Libya, yeasts of the genus Candida are the dominant cause of onychomycosis in women, with T. violaceum, T. rubrum, T. mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis being responsible for the majority of infections in men (30). Similar observations have also been reported from Pakistan (13).…”

Obtenção de extratos de própolis sob diferentes condições e avaliação de sua atividade antifúngica

“…Recentemente, tem sido relatado aumento do número se casos dessas infecções que ganharam considerável importância ao longo das últimas décadas, como resultado de um aumento signifi cativo na incidência de agentes oportunistas, dentre os quais se destacam as leveduras. Atualmente, as leveduras, que até pouco tempo não eram consideradas patogênicas para as unhas, têm sido responsabilizadas por 75% dos casos de onicomicoses na Líbia (Ellabib et al, 2002), por 59,1% dos casos em Roma (Mercantini et al, 1996) e por 49,1% dos casos na cidade do Rio de Janeiro (Araújo et al, 2003). O aumento da freqüência de onicomicoses causadas por leveduras pode ser atribuído a vários fatores, destacando-se o aumento do número de pacientes imunocomprometidos, como conseqüência do aumento da sobrevida de doentes graves e da vida média da população.…”