Fungal Leukonychia and Melanonychia: a Review

AbstractFungal leukonychia is a common condition in immunosuppressed patients; the most common clinical forms are white superficial and proximal white superficial onychomycosis. It is frequently associated withTrichophyton mentagrophytes var.interdigitale and withTrichophyton rubrum. The diagnosis can be easily made by direct examination and culture. Fungal melanonychia is the nail plate pigmentation caused by fungal infections. The most frequently isolated fungi isT. rubrum and melanized molds likeNeoscytalidium dimidiatum. The main differential diagnosis is malignant melanoma, although other causes include subungueal hematomas, exogenous pigmentation, and bacterial infection. If homogeneous pigmentation in lines or structureless discoloration, and the absence of melanin inclusions are seen by dermoscopy, diagnosis must be complemented with KOH preparations and cultures.
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research