Frequency of onychomycoses caused by yeasts in Maringa, Parana, Brazil

INTRODUCTION: Onychomycoses are infectious ungueal diseases caused by fungi and represent the major onychopathies all over the world. OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of yeasts as etiological agents of onychomycoses in the city of Maringa, Parana, Brazil. METHODS: A retrospective study from January 1997 to December 2004. Results of 1295 patients with suspected onychomycosis were evaluated; tests were performed at the Teaching and Research Pathology Laboratory at the Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Parana, Brazil. RESULTS: Onychomycosis was confirmed by mycological exam in 761 (58.76%) patients; 71% females and 29.00% males. The prevalence in fingernails was 28.67% and in toenails, 71.33%. As to agents, yeasts were most frequently isolated (46.39%), followed by dermatophytes (40.60%) and nondermatophytic filamentous fungi or moulds (13.01%). CONCLUSIONS: The high frequency of yeasts in onychomycosis indicates improvement in the laboratorial diagnostic techniques for opportunistic fungi. Associating results and clinical management enabled safer diagnosis and treatment.

Candida; Cross-sectional studies; Mycosis; Nail diseases; Onychomycosis; Prevalence; Yeasts