Korean J Infect Dis.  1997 May;29(3):251-255.

A Case of Onychomycosis Involving a Toe Nail Caused by Curvularia Species: The first report in Korea

• Shon HE

Abstract

Curvularia species is a genus of dematiaceous fungi that resides primarily in soil, and rarely causes human infections. The infection caused by Curvularia species usually occurs in immunocompromised patients, but a few reported cases have occurred in immunocompetent patients with no prior disease. A 55-year-old woman, previously in good health, complained of a dystrophic nail of the left big toe. Sampling from the lesion was made by scraping of the diseased nail plate. The specimens were examined in KOH and inoculated on slants containing Sabouraud's dextrose agar with chloramphenicol and Dermatophyte test Medium (DTM) which were incubated at room temperature. Direct microscopic examination, using KOH, showed septated hyphae. Culture on Sabouraud's dextrose agar yielded a filamentous dematiaceous fungus, which was identified as Curvularia species. This is the first case of onychomycosis as well as human infection caused by Curvularia species in Korea. ME: Curvularia species, Onychomycosis

MeSH Terms

Agar
Arthrodermataceae
Chloramphenicol
Female
Fungi
Glucose
Humans
Hyphae
Immunocompromised Host
Korea*
Middle Aged
Onychomycosis*
Soil
Toes*
Agar
Chloramphenicol
Glucose
Soil