Onychomycosis on HIV-positive patients. Clínica Universitaria Bolivariana 2000 - 2007

Abstract

Introduction: Some studies have been conducted on the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of onychomycosis in HIV positive patients, these articles have shown a relationship with the immunocompromised state, the morbidity, and the higher prevalence.

Objetive: To describe the prevalence, clinical and epidemiological characteristics of onychomycosis in a group of HIV positive patients.

Methods:. An observational retrospective study was performed using the hospital database and supported by the written clinical records on 440 HIV positive patients included in the Sexually Transmitted Diseases Program of the Clinica Universitaria Bolivariana.

Results: 63 HIV positive patients had a diagnosis of onychomycosis (14.3%); 56 of which (88.9%) were male. The mean age was 36.9 ± 7.3 years. The average CD4 count was 190 ± 170.8 cells/μL, 50 (79.3%) patients had toenail involvement; 15 (23.8%) patients had a diagnosis of tinea pedis. The most prevalent clinical presentation was white superficial onychomycosis (25.4%), although a big percentage of patients lack this data (42.8%). In 16 patients with mycological exam, most frequent fungi were: Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Candida spp (50%, 12.5% and 12.5% respectively).

Conclusion: onychomycosis is a frequent disease in HIV positive patients, and an integral clinical and immunologic diagnosis of those patients should be performed.