S1 Guideline onychomycosis.

Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the fingernails and toenails. In Europe, tinea unguium is mainly caused by dermatophytes. The diagnostic workup comprises microscopic examination, culture and/or molecular testing (nail scrapings).

[Molecular biological detection of dermatophytes in clinical samples when onychomycosis or tinea pedis is suspected. A prospective study comparing conventional dermatomycological diagnostics and polymerase chain reaction].

Background: The prevalence of onychomycosis is rising worldwide. Before starting antifungal treatment, an exact mycological diagnosis should be obtained. The current laboratory diagnosis of dermatomycoses is based on the detection of the causative agent by microscopy and culture.

Development of a novel polymerase chain reaction-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the diagnosis of Trichophyton rubrum onychomycosis.

Background: The prevalence of onychomycosis has increased steadily in the past decade. An accurate diagnosis at the outset is important for successful and cost-effective treatment of patients. However, current diagnostic tests for onychomycosis are not rapid, sensitive or specific.

Direct detection of five common dermatophyte species in clinical samples using a rapid and sensitive 24-h PCR-ELISA technique open to protocol transfer.

Identification of dermatophytes is usually based on morphological characteristics determined by time-consuming microscopic and cultural examinations. An effective PCR-ELISA method has been developed for rapid detection of dermatophyte species directly from clinical specimens within 24 h. Isolated genomic DNA of skin scrapings and nail samples from patients with suspected dermatophyte infections is amplified with species-specific digoxigenin-labelled primers targeting the topoisomerase II gene.