Aislamiento y análisis del crecimiento de Trichophyton rubrum en caso de onicomicosis

Background. Onychomycosis is one of the most frequently observed fungal diseases in the clinical laboratory. Trichophyton rubrum is the most frequently isolated fungus in Costa Rican patients with this condition; therefore, observing its growth in the media is key to providing an accurate and rapid diagnosis. Methods. We studied the case of a patient with known onychomycosis of the right big toenail for over a year. The patient was presented to a private laboratory for routine testing to identify and isolate the etiologic agent causing the condition. Results. In the case studied, hyaline mycelium was observed upon direct examination and the growth of a hyaline cottony colony after 7 days of incubation. T. rubrum was isolated and identified as the etiologic agent in the patient, a species in which the emergence of antifungal resistance has begun to be reported in the recent years. Conclusion. Isolation and identification of the causative agent of onychomycosis in traditional settings allows for timely diagnosis so medical personnel can provide appropriate treatment.