Onychomycosis is a common fungal infection
of the nail but few data of mycological features in
geriatric Portuguese population are yet available. The
aim of this study was to perform a mycological
examination and characterization of fungal nail pattern
of a geriatric population from the north of Portugal
clinically suspected of onychomycosis. A total of 108
patients attending the Podology Service in the Centro
Hospitalar do Alto Ave (Portugal) from October 2007
to January 2009 were enrolled. All were suspected of
having onychomycosis by the abnormal appearance of
their nails. From these, 59.3% were diabetic. Distal and
lateral subungual onychomycosis was the more common
clinical pattern followed by total dystrophic
onychomycosis. In 21.3% cases, every nail in both feet
had an abnormal appearance. In 86%, the hallux was
involved in at least one foot. Fifty samples were culture
positive, and fifty-four isolates were reported regardless
of the questionable pathogenicity of the infectious
agent. In three cases, clinical feature of the nail, direct
microscopy, and culture were consistent with
Scopulariopsis infection. Fusarium spp. were identified
in three cases; however, only one isolate was
preceded by the observation of branching septate
filaments by direct microscopy. No mixed infections
with dermatophytes were reported. Trichophyton rubrum
was the dermatophyte most frequently isolated
(83.3%) followed by Trichophyton interdigitale. In
Portugal, onychomycosis is still viewed by general
population as a cosmetic condition. Health risk is
enhanced in geriatrics that only perceived the severity
of their condition when experiencing further foot
complications that include bacterial infection and pain
