Fusarium spp. as agents of onychomycosis in immunocompetent hosts.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Fusarium spp. are nondermatophyte filamentous fungi, frequently reported as an etiologic agent of opportunistic infections in humans; however, their involvement in the etiology of cutaneous lesions is still debatable, especially in immunocompetent patients, where they are often considered as contaminant fungi.

OBJECTIVE:

The aims of this study were to report the high prevalence of onychomycosis by Fusarium spp. in immunocompetent patients in the region of Maringá, Paraná, Brazil, to establish clinical and laboratory criteria for this genus as a causal agent of onychomycosis, and to determine the susceptibility profile to the systemic antifungal drugs most frequently used in Brazil (itraconazole, ketoconazole, terbinafine, and amphotericin B).

METHODS:

The fungi were isolated and identified through the classical method, and sensitivity tests were carried out according to the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) M38-A protocol.

RESULTS:

Of the 360 confirmed cases of onychomycosis, 27 (7.5%) were attributed to the genus Fusarium, and F. oxysporum was the most commonly isolated species. Nail lesions with paronychia and pain, combined with direct suggestive microscopy and a high concentration of microorganisms, were predictive of onychomycosis by Fusarium spp. The minimum inhibitory concentration was high for itraconazole, ketoconazole, and terbinafine, but low for amphotericin B.

CONCLUSIONS:

It is recommended that more attention should be given to the interpretation and identification of species of the Fusarium genus in superficial clinical samples. This fungus may be considered as an agent of onychomycosis, even in immunocompetent individuals, by identifying criteria that separate situations of clinical significance from those of simple contamination.

• Authors: Eliana Guilhermetti, Gisele Takahachi, Cristiane Suemi Shinobu, Terezinha Inez Estivalet Svidzinski
• Journal: International journal of dermatology (Int J Dermatol) Vol. 46 Issue 8 Pg. 822-6 (Aug 2007) ISSN: 0011-9059 [Print] England
• PMID: 17651164 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antifungal Agents
• Naphthalenes
• Itraconazole
• Amphotericin B
• Fluconazole
• Terbinafine

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Amphotericin B (pharmacology)
• Antifungal Agents (pharmacology)
• Brazil (epidemiology)
• Female
• Fluconazole (pharmacology)
• Foot Dermatoses (epidemiology, microbiology)
• Fusarium (drug effects, growth & development, isolation & purification)
• Humans
• Immunocompetence
• Itraconazole (pharmacology)
• Male
• Microbial Sensitivity Tests
• Middle Aged
• Nails (microbiology)
• Naphthalenes (pharmacology)
• Onychomycosis (epidemiology, microbiology)
• Terbinafine