Detection and differentiation of causative organisms of onychomycosis in an ex vivo nail model by means of Raman spectroscopy

Abstract

Onychomycosis is worldwide the most prevalent infection of the nail. It is mainly caused by the dermatophytes Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes and to a lesser extent Trichophyton tonsurans.

The yeast Candida albicans and the mould Scopulariopsis brevicaulis can also cause onychomycosis. Management of these nail conditions may require appropriate treatment methods and therefore the identification of the causative species can be of importance.

However, the determination of agents causing onychomycosis is still not optimal.

Keywords

• onychomycosis
• nail