Identification of fungi species in the onychomycosis of institutionalized elderly.

Background: Superficial fungal infections are caused by dermatophytes, yeasts or filamentous fungi. They are correlated to the etiologic agent, the level of integrity of the host immune response, the site of the lesion and also the injured tissue.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to isolate and to identify onychomycosis agents in institutionalized elderly (60 years old +).

Incidence of dermatophytosis in a public hospital of São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo State, Brazil.

The incidence of cases of dermatophytosis in dermatology outpatient departments has increased in recent years. Infection control is essential to prevent transmission, and accurate diagnosis of this type of infection is important to avoid confusion with other dermatological processes caused by non-fungal agents. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of dermatophytosis and its etiological agents in a public hospital of São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil.