Epidemiology of onychomycosis in southern Greece

Background Onychomycosis appears to be a variable entity: it presents in di fferent forms in different parts of the world. It is probable that every co untry has its own particularities of presentation and it is also probable t hat different regions of the same country, with either different or equival ent environmental conditions, present with different levels of incidence. L arge-scale epidemiological studies performed worldwide have demonstrated di fferent epidemiological results. Objective This study was undertaken to determine the epidemiology of onycho mycosis in the population of southern Greece. Methods Direct microscopic examination and culture were performed on sample s from patients with clinical suspected onychomycosis. Results The most frequently isolated fungus was Candida (52.44%), followed by dermatophytes (41.04%) and saprophytic molds (6.51%), Finger nails were infected more than toe nails in both sexes. The most frequently isolated fu ngus in finger nails was Candida (76%), followed by dermatophytes (23%), an d molds (1%); toe nails were most often infected by dermatophytes (71%), Ca ndida (13%) and molds (16%). Among the infected women patients, the most fr equently isolated fungus was Candida (64%), followed by dermatophytes (30.5 8%); 5.33% were infected by saprophytic molds. Of the 101 men infected, der matophytes were most frequently isolated (62.37%), followed by Candida (28. 71%) and saprophytic molds (8.91%). Conclusions Comparison of the results of epidemiological studies of onychom ycosis worldwide show great differences, not only between different countri es and different climate zones, but also between studies performed in the s ame country. In our opinion such epidemiological studies should be performe d in every country in order to determine the major fungal species responsib le; such information is extremely useful in the treatment of nail onychomyc osis.