Subclinical Onychomycosis: Not Present in HIV-Positive Population?

Abstract

Onychomycosis is one of the most common nail diseases and constitutes up to 50% of all nail conditions. It is a chronic fungal nail infection common in the HIV-infected population. Few studies have found fungal organisms in the nail without clinical evidence, and thus, termed subclinical onychomycosis. Objectives: We analyzed the nails of the HIV population in our hospital, searching for subclinical onychomycosis. Method: A distal nail clipping was stained with PAS and observed by a trained dermatopathologist. Results: All of our samples (n>/= 48) turned out to be negative for fungal structures. Conclusions: The epidemiology of onychomycosis is changing, treatment options are much better now, and diagnosis and infection detection are being done earlier. Therefore, we will continue to further study this disease in other patient populations so that we can compare our results and see whether the incidence of onychomycosis in the HIV population is now similar to that in those without HIV infection of the same age.