Depending on the microbe involved, white superficial onychomycosis (WSO), a fungal infection of finger or toe nails, can be hard to treat, Italian researchers report.

In order to characterize such infections, Drs. Bianca Maria Piraccini and Antonella Tosti of the University of Bologna reviewed the records of 79 patients with WSO seen at their hospital over a period of about 9 years. The researchers’ findings are published in the Archives of Dermatology.

Seventy-three percent of the infections were caused by a fungus called Trichophyton interdigitale. The next most common cause was by fungi of the genus Fusarium.

WSO can be difficult to manage if the infection is deep and wide, Dr. Piraccini told Reuters Health. In such cases, a combination of antifungal agents plus surgery may be required.

Knowing which fungus is causing the infection and the health status of the patient can help doctors select the best treatment.

SOURCE: Archives of Dermatology, June 2004.