IDENTIFICATION OF FUNGI CAUSING ONYCHOMYCOSIS IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS AT TANGERANG DISTRICT HOSPITAL

Abstract

Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nails that is frequently encountered in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) because impaired immune, vascular, and neuropathic functions may increase susceptibility to infection. This study aimed to determine the distribution of the duration of type 2 diabetes mellitus among patients with onychomycosis at Tangerang District Hospital and to identify the fungi causing onychomycosis based on macroscopic and microscopic characteristics using Lactophenol Cotton Blue (LPCB) staining. This descriptive laboratory-based study examined 25 nail-scraping specimens from patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Fungal isolation was performed on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA), followed by macroscopic observation of colony characteristics and microscopic examination using LPCB staining. A total of 52 fungal isolates were recorded. The identified fungi consisted of dermatophytes, non-dermatophyte fungi, yeast, and one isolate that could not be identified. Dermatophytes included Trichophyton sp. (3 isolates; 5.8%) and Epidermophyton sp. (1 isolate; 1.9%). Non-dermatophytes included suspected Suspected Aspergillus niger (15; 28.8%), Aspergillus sp. (24; 46.2%), Cladosporium sp. (2; 3.8%), Penicillium sp. (2; 3.8%), Fusarium sp. (1; 1.9%), and Mucor sp. (1; 1.9%). Candida sp. accounted for 2 isolates (3.8%). Most patients with onychomycosis had experienced type 2 diabetes mellitus for more than five years (17; 68%). The findings indicate that non-dermatophyte fungi predominated in the examined samples, with Aspergillus sp. being the most frequently identified fungus. The identified fungi comprised dermatophytes, non-dermatophytes, and yeast.