onychomycosis – Page 2

The refractory nailbed ulceration caused by Candida parapsilosis after nail extraction

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An 82-year-old woman developed a stubborn wound on her toenail bed after having her nail surgically removed to treat an infection. When the wound did not heal for six months, doctors discovered it was caused by a fungus called Candida parapsilosis, which is normally found on skin but can cause infections when given the opportunity through wounds. After identifying the fungus, doctors treated her with an antifungal medication called fluconazole for three months, and her wound completely healed. This case shows the importance of testing chronic nail infections for their specific cause before performing surgery.

Overexpression of efflux pump and biofilm associated genes in itraconazole resistant Candida albicans isolates causing onychomycosis

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Researchers studied why some fungal nail infections caused by Candida albicans stop responding to the antifungal drug itraconazole. They found that resistant fungal cells have higher activity of genes that pump the drug out of cells and produce slimy protective coatings called biofilms. These resistant fungi also formed less dense biofilms when the drug was present from the start. Understanding these resistance mechanisms could help develop new treatments by targeting the pump systems or breaking down the protective biofilm layers.

The association of Yarrowia lipolytica with onychomycosis

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A 20-year-old woman suffered from a persistent toenail infection that didn’t respond to several standard antifungal treatments over five years. Researchers identified the culprit as Yarrowia lipolytica, a rare yeast not previously known to cause nail infections. Testing showed this yeast was resistant to common antifungal medications the patient had received, explaining why previous treatments failed. This unusual case highlights the importance of properly identifying fungal pathogens and testing them for drug resistance before starting treatment.

A case of refractory onychomycosis caused by Kloeckera apiculata: Successful treatment with itraconazole

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A 32-year-old man had a stubborn fungal nail infection caused by an extremely rare yeast called Kloeckera apiculata that didn’t respond to three different antifungal treatments over several years. After being identified through specialized laboratory testing including genetic sequencing, the infection was successfully cured with a 3-month course of the oral antifungal medication itraconazole. This case is notable because it is only the fourth known case of this rare fungal infection in humans and the first one to achieve complete cure with itraconazole treatment.

Superficial Fungal Infections in Children—What Do We Know?

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Fungal infections of the skin, hair, and nails are increasingly common in children worldwide, especially in warm, humid climates and in crowded living conditions. These infections are caused by germs that live on the skin and can spread through contact with infected people or animals. Children are particularly vulnerable due to their developing immune systems, but most infections are treatable with topical creams or oral medications, with terbinafine being the most effective option currently available.

Addressing filamentous fungi-related onychomycosis in the era of antifungal resistance: assessment of Zataria multiflora nanostructured lipid carrier topical gel in a double-blinded clinical trial

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Nail fungal infections (onychomycosis) are difficult to treat, especially as fungi become resistant to standard antifungal medications. Researchers tested a new gel made from Zataria multiflora (Shirazi thyme) packaged in special nanoparticles that help the medicine penetrate the nail better. In a clinical trial comparing this gel to placebo, the Zataria multiflora treatment showed better results after just 2 weeks, with 70% of patients experiencing fungal cure compared to 55% with placebo.

The refractory nailbed ulceration caused by Candida parapsilosis after nail extraction

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An 82-year-old woman developed a stubborn ulcer on her toenail bed after having the nail surgically removed to treat an infected nail fold. Testing revealed the ulcer was caused by a yeast called Candida parapsilosis, which typically causes infections after physical trauma or injury to the skin. Treatment with an antifungal medication called fluconazole successfully healed the ulcer over three months. This is the first reported case of this specific type of infection following nail removal and highlights the importance of properly identifying the cause of chronic nail infections.

Overexpression of efflux pump and biofilm associated genes in itraconazole resistant Candida albicans isolates causing onychomycosis

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This study examined why some fungal nail infections caused by Candida albicans don’t respond to itraconazole treatment. Researchers found that resistant fungi have higher levels of genes that pump the antifungal drug out of their cells and genes that help them form protective biofilm layers. These findings suggest that combining itraconazole with drugs that block these pumps or disrupt biofilms could be more effective for treating stubborn fungal nail infections.

Epidemiological profile of dermatophytes at the parasitology-mycology laboratory at Mohammed VI University Hospital in Oujda

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This study examined fungal skin infections caused by dermatophytes in a Moroccan hospital over four years, analyzing 950 samples. The researchers found that nail infections (onychomycosis) were most common, particularly in people over 50 years old, while scalp infections mainly affected children. The fungus Trichophyton rubrum was responsible for most infections, though Microsporum canis increasingly caused scalp infections, likely due to increased pet ownership in Morocco. The study emphasizes the importance of proper laboratory testing to identify the specific fungus and choose appropriate treatment.

Research Topic: onychomycosis