DOI: 10.36347/sasjm.2024.v10i06.012

Pages: 541-545

The study conducted at the Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology of the Mohammed VI University Hospital Center in Marrakech, Morocco, aimed to describe the epidemiology of onychomycoses and identify the predominant fungal agents. Over a two-year period, 156 samples were collected and analyzed. Results showed a prevalence of confirmed onychomycosis of 34%, with a male predominance and a peak incidence in individuals aged 51 to 70 years. Trichophyton rubrum was the most commonly isolated dermatophyte, particularly affecting toenails, while candidiasis was more frequent in fingernails. The study underscores the importance of mycological diagnosis in distinguishing onychomycosis from other nail disorders, advocating for improved awareness and timely management strategies, including the exploration of alternative diagnostic approaches like PCR, to enhance the specificity and sensitivity of identification.