Clinical and epidemiological study of onychomycosis among patients of the national institute of hygiene in rabat, Morocco (۲۰۱۶-۲۰۲۰)

Background and Purpose: Onychomycosis is a common nail infection characterized by the discoloration, thickening, and detachment of nails. This study aimed to provide valuable insights into this pathology by assessing its prevalence, clinical aspects, related comorbidities, and causative agents in patients from a Moroccan population.Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on ۱,۶۰۶ subjects at the Mycology-Parasitology laboratory of the National Institute of Hygiene in Rabat, Morocco, over five years (۲۰۱۶-۲۰۲۰). Nail samples were collected from both fingernails and toenails and processed through microscopic examination and culture. The incubated tubes were kept at a temperature range of ۲۸-۳۰°C for ۴-۵ weeks. Results: Onychomycosis was mycologically confirmed in ۱,۷۹۴ samples (۹۳.۲۴%). It occurred commonly in the ۴۱-۶۰ age group, with a higher incidence among females (۷۴.۵۳%). Diabetes, alongside other chronic diseases, was prevalent among patients with underlying conditions, comprising ۱۳۱ cases (۴۰.۵۶%). Disto-lateral subungual onychomycosis emerged as the most prevalent clinical presentation, comprising ۱,۵۳۶ cases (۷۹.۹۲%). Fingernails primarily affected by yeasts, notably Candida albicans (C. albicans), accounted for ۵۶۵ cases (۲۹.۸۰%), while toenails were predominantly impacted by dermatophytes, primarily Trichophyton rubrum ([T. rubrum], n=۱,۲۳۰, ۶۴.۸۷%). Mixed infections exclusively featured yeasts and dermatophytes, predominantly T. rubrum and C. albicans, which accounted for ۷۹ (۴.۴۰%) cases. The study explored the influence of molds, yielding insights into their rarity in onychomycosis.Conclusion: These findings hold significant implications for the clinical management and diagnosis of onychomycosis, particularly in patients with underlying chronic conditions. Further epidemiological studies across Morocco are needed for meaningful comparisons.

کلیدواژه ها:

dermatophytes ، Fungal infection ، Mixed infection ، Nail mycosis ، Yeasts