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Examining the importance of laboratory and diagnostic testing when treating and diagnosing onychomycosis
Author(s) -
Ghannoum Mahmoud,
Mukherjee Pranab,
Isham Nancy,
Markinson Bryan,
Rosso James Del,
Leal Luis
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
international journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-4632
pISSN - 0011-9059
DOI - 10.1111/ijd.13690
Subject(s) - medicine , dermatology , nail (fastener) , nail disease , diagnostic test , psoriasis , differential diagnosis , intensive care medicine , diagnostic accuracy , pathology , radiology , pediatrics , materials science , metallurgy
Abstract Onychomycosis is a fungal nail infection caused primarily by dermatophytes. Several other nail disorders, including psoriasis, can simulate onychomycosis. Accurate diagnosis is therefore vital for the ongoing treatment and management of onychomycosis and to avoid misdiagnosis and treatment delay, which can be both lengthy and costly. Often, a combination of histologic and laboratory techniques is used to obtain an accurate diagnosis. The potential diagnostic challenges associated with the differential diagnosis of onychomycosis caused by dermatophytes and the most common techniques used to confirm the diagnosis are discussed.