Background & Objective: Onychomycosis is a chronic fungal infection of the nail apparatus, considered the most common nail disorder in dermatology. This pathology, although benign in the majority of cases, can have a significant functional and aesthetic impact, particularly in patients with underlying risk factors.
Objective: To analyze the epidemiological, clinical, and mycological characteristics of onychomycosis cases diagnosed at the Batna University Hospital. Methods: This was a retrospective study including patients consulting the parasitology laboratory at the Batna-University Hospital (ALGERIA) for suspected onychomycosis during the period from January 2019 to December 2024.
Results: Overall, we recorded a prevalence rate of 59.02%, with a slight male predominance. The mean age of patients was 42 years, and the most affected age range was between [41 and 55 years]. Toenails were the most frequently affected. Mycologically, dermatophytes were the most isolated pathogens (73.6%), dominated by Trichophyton rubrum (71%), followed by yeasts, of which Candida albicans was the most isolated species (5.7%). The most observed clinical forms were distolateral onychomycosis (54.2%) and total onychodystrophy (42.2%).
Conclusion: This study highlights the need for rigorous mycological screening and appropriate management to improve prognosis and reduce the risk of recurrence.
Keywords: Onychomycosis, dermatophytes, yeast, Trichophyton rubrum, Candida albicans, Onychodystrophy.
Citation: HAMOUDA O., KALLA N., (2025). Retrospective Study of Onychomycosis Diagnosed in the Parasitology Laboratory at the Batna University Hospital-ALGERIA. I J Infectious Disea 6(3):1-5.
DOI : https://doi.org/10.47485/2693-2326.1042