Journal of mycology and infection

Gradual Improvement of Fungal Melanonychia: A Report of Serial Images

Hyun-Min Seo,Ji Hun Park,Ki Yeon Kim,Joung Soo Kim
10.17966/JMI.2022.27.2.41 Epub 2022 July 01

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Abstract

PATIENT CONSENT STATEMENT

The patient provided written informed consent for the publication and the use of her images.

Keywords

Fungal melanonychia Terbinafine Ungual phaeohyphomycosis

A 60-year-old female presented with multiple blackish pig- mentation on her toenails, along with nail change that first presented several months prior. Physical examination revealed multiple longitudinal blackish and yellowish striae on the first to fifth right and first and second left toenails. KOH test was performed on the involved toenails which revealed fungal hyphae. She was diagnosed with onychomycosis that induced melanonychia, known as fungal melanonychia (FM). The patient was treated with oral terbinafine for 9 months and she gradually improved (Fig. 1).

Fungal melanonychia (FM) or ungual phaeohyphomycosis is a rare nail disorder that presents with brownish or blackish pigmentation of the nail, mostly as a result of superficial in- fection of dematiaceous fungi¹. There is a number of species that cause FM, the most common of which are Scytalidium dimidiatum and Trichophyton rubrum¹. In a previous case series study, the clinical efficacy of oral terbinafine and itraconazole in patients with FM was reported². However, there is no established treatment method for FM due to the lack of data and to the variability in responses to antifungal treatment. There are discussion regarding a species-specific causative approach. Our experience presents the clinical course of oral terbinafine treatment of FM with high-quality serial clinical photos. This can be helpful for the future management of patients with FM.

Figure 1. (A) Multiple longitudinal blackish and yellowish striae and dystrophy on the first to fifth right and first and second left toenails (B) Gradual improvement of nail dystrophy and discoloration was observed after oral terbinafine treatment for three months and (C) nine months. (D) Melanonychia of the first right toe nail was clearly observed.

References

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