Clinical and mycological evaluation of onychomycosis among Brazilian HIV/AIDS patients

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical Vol. 44; no. 1; pp. 40 - 42
• Main Authors: Cambuim, Idalina Inês Fonsêca Nogueira, Macêdo, Danielle Patrícia Cerqueira, Delgado, Marília, Lima, Kedma de Magalhães, Mendes, Genilda Pereira, Souza-Motta, Cristina Maria de, Lima, Débora Maria Massa, Fernandes, Maria José, Magalhães, Oliane Maria Correia, Queiroz, Lusinete Acioli de, Neves, Rejane Pereira
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Published: Brazil Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical 01-01-2011
• Subjects: Adult; AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections - microbiology; Female; Foot Dermatoses - microbiology; Hand Dermatoses - microbiology; Humans; Male; Onychomycosis - microbiology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0037-8682; 1678-9849
• DOI: 10.1590/S0037-86822011000100010

Onychomycosis is common in immunocompromised patients, but emerging species have been verified, thereby modifying the epidemiological profile of this mycosis. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and mycological profile of onychomycosis among HIV/AIDS patients.
Clinical samples were collected and processed for direct examination, and cultures were maintained at a temperature of 30 °C and 37 °C for 15 days.
Out of 100 patients, 32 had onychomycosis. The etiological agents isolated were Candida albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, C. guilliermondii, Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, Fusarium solani, Scytalidium hialinum, S. japonicum, Aspergillus niger, Cylindrocarpon destructans and Phialophora reptans.
Onychomycosis in HIV/AIDS patients presents various clinical manifestations and may be caused by emerging fungi. The peculiarities presented by different fungal agents justify the need for identification to species level, with the purpose of guiding better therapeutic approaches and minimizing these patients' exposure to conditions presenting a risk of disseminated infection.