Epidemiology of Onychomycosis in an Academic Nail Unit in South Greece during a Three-Year Period.

BACKGROUND

Onychomycosis is the most common disease of the nails.

OBJECTIVE

This retrospective study aimed at evaluating the epidemiology of onychomycosis in adult patients in South Greece during the 2015-2017 period.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

A total of 3,226 patients with clinical signs of possible onychomycosis were included. Diagnosis was confirmed by microscopy with KOH 20% and by culture in Sabouraud agar with and without actidione.

RESULTS

Diagnosis of onychomycosis was confirmed in 27.99% of the patients. Men were infected more often (40.04%) than women (23.30%). Toenails (68.77%) were infected more than fingernails (31.23%) in both sexes. Onychomycosis in fingernails was more common among women (39.74%) than men (18.51%). Men were more often diagnosed with onychomycosis in toenails (81.49%) than women (60.26%). Dermatophytes were the most frequently isolated fungi (34.11%), followed by Candida(29.79%) and non-dermatophyte molds (NDM) (7.20%). In fingernails, the most frequently isolated fungus was Candida spp. (84.04%), followed by dermatophytes (3.55%) and NDM (0.71%). In toenails, dermatophytes (47.99%) were more commonly identified, followed by NDM (10.14%) and Candida spp. (5.15%).

CONCLUSION

Onychomycosis in Greece follows a pattern of higher incidence in males, with toenails more frequently infected with T. rubrum and fingernails more frequently infected with C. albicans in the present era.