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Fungal Leukonychia and Melanonychia: a Review

  • Fungal Infections of Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue (A Bonifaz, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Fungal leukonychia is a common condition in immunosuppressed patients; the most common clinical forms are white superficial and proximal white superficial onychomycosis. It is frequently associated with Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. interdigitale and with Trichophyton rubrum. The diagnosis can be easily made by direct examination and culture. Fungal melanonychia is the nail plate pigmentation caused by fungal infections. The most frequently isolated fungi is T. rubrum and melanized molds like Neoscytalidium dimidiatum. The main differential diagnosis is malignant melanoma, although other causes include subungueal hematomas, exogenous pigmentation, and bacterial infection. If homogeneous pigmentation in lines or structureless discoloration, and the absence of melanin inclusions are seen by dermoscopy, diagnosis must be complemented with KOH preparations and cultures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mycology Department, Dermatology Service, Hospital General de México “Dr. Eduardo Liceaga”, A. Bonifaz. Dr. Balmis 148, col. Doctores, CP 06720, Cd. de México, Mexico

    Mariana Saldaña, Leonel Fierro-Arias & Alexandro Bonifaz

  2. Dermatology Service, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico

    Karen Férez-Blando & Judith Domínguez-Cherit

Authors
  1. Mariana Saldaña
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  2. Karen Férez-Blando
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  3. Judith Domínguez-Cherit
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  4. Leonel Fierro-Arias
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  5. Alexandro Bonifaz
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Correspondence to Alexandro Bonifaz.

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The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the topical collection on Fungal Infections of Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue

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Saldaña, M., Férez-Blando, K., Domínguez-Cherit, J. et al. Fungal Leukonychia and Melanonychia: a Review. Curr Fungal Infect Rep 11, 110–116 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12281-017-0289-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12281-017-0289-2

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