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Histopathologic evidence of the nondermatophytic mould Scopulariopsis brevicaulis masking the presence of dermatophytes in a toenail infection
Author(s) -
Stefanato Catherine M.,
Verdolini Roberto
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of cutaneous pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1600-0560
pISSN - 0303-6987
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0560.2008.01186.x
Subject(s) - nail (fastener) , dermatophyte , coinfection , histopathological examination , dermatology , medicine , mycology , pathology , direct examination , nail disease , biology , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , paronychia , virology , paleontology , materials science , political science , law , metallurgy
Nondermatophytic toenail infection with Scopulariopsis brevicaulis is rare, but may occur often in association with dermatophytes. We report a case of an 84‐year‐old man who presented with onychomycosis of the big toenail. Histopathologic examination of the avulsed nail showed evidence of S. brevicaulis coinfection with a dermatophyte, despite negative mycology results for the latter. Our case underscores the importance of histopathologic examination of nail specimens as an additional invaluable tool in the diagnosis of onychomycosis, as it may unmask false‐negative mycology findings.