Risk factors, clinical profiles, and fungal etiology of toenail onychomycosis among female traders in a central province of Vietnam
5 affiliations
- 1Paediatric Department, Internal Medicine, Department of Postgraduate Education, Vinh Medical University, Vinh, Nghe An, Vietnam
- 2Thai Thuong Hoang Hospital, Vinh, Nghe An, Vietnam
- 3Department of Parasitology, Vietnam Military Medical University, Ha Dong, Ha Noi, Vietnam
- 4Scientific and Training Management Department, National Institute of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology, Ha Noi, Vietnam
- 5Microbiology and Molecular Biology Department, National Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Hanoi, Vietnam
Abstract
Background and Purpose:: Hot and humid climate of Vietnam favors fungal infections; however, data on toenail onychomycosis in this region remain limited. In this regard, the present study aimed to investigate risk factors, clinical features, and causative agents of toenail onychomycosis in Vietnam.
Materials and Methods:: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Nghe An province, Vietnam, from March 2021 to August 2022. Toenail samples from female traders with suspected onychomycosis underwent direct examination and culture. Isolates were identified using conventional and molecular techniques, including restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region.
Results:: Based on findings, 45.5% of 224 participants were diagnosed with onychomycosis. The identified risk factors for onychomycosis were water contact (odds ratio (OR) 2.434; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.098–5.383) and nail grooming (OR: 2.096; 95% CI: 1.002–4.384). Distal and lateral subungual onychomycosis was the most common form (84.3%), followed by superficial white (8.8%) and proximal subungual form (6.9%). Most cases were classified as mild (35.3%) or moderate (40.2%) infections, with an average onychomycosis severity index (OSI) score of 10.25 ± 8.09. Yeasts accounted for 70.6% of cases, and Candida was the leading genus (54.9%), followed by Trichosporon (13.7%) and Geotrichum (1.9%). Most mold-related cases were caused by non-dermatophyte fungi, including Aspergillus (16.7%), Penicillium (5.9%), Curvularia (2.9%), Fusarium (2.0%), and Talaromyces (1%), while dermatophyte (Trichophyton) was identified in only one case (1%). Compared with yeast infections, mold-related cases were more associated with older participants and a higher rate of severe cases (43.3% vs. 16.7%, p = 0.010) as well as OSI score (13.6 ± 8.2 vs. 8.8 ± 7.7, p = 0.006).
Conclusion:: Both behavioral and occupational factors were risks for toenail onychomycosis, which was mostly mild to moderate and associated with yeasts. Non-dermatophyte molds were less frequent but linked to more severe cases. Targeted prevention and tailored treatment strategies are needed.
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BibTeX
@article{tran2026risk,
title = {{Risk factors, clinical profiles, and fungal etiology of toenail onychomycosis among female traders in a central province of Vietnam}},
author = {Kieu-Anh Thi Tran and Khanh-Linh Thi Duong and Thang Doang Thai and Anh Ngoc Do and Loi Ba Cao and Tran-Anh Le},
journal = {Current Medical Mycology},
year = {2026},
month = jun,
doi = {10.22034/cmm.2026.345480.1710},
url = {https://doi.org/10.22034/cmm.2026.345480.1710},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Risk factors, clinical profiles, and fungal etiology of toenail onychomycosis among female traders in a central province of Vietnam
AU - Kieu-Anh Thi Tran
AU - Khanh-Linh Thi Duong
AU - Thang Doang Thai
AU - Anh Ngoc Do
AU - Loi Ba Cao
AU - Tran-Anh Le
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/06/07
JO - Current Medical Mycology
DO - 10.22034/cmm.2026.345480.1710
UR - https://doi.org/10.22034/cmm.2026.345480.1710
AB - Background and Purpose:: Hot and humid climate of Vietnam favors fungal infections; however, data on toenail onychomycosis in this region remain limited. In this regard, the present study aimed to investigate risk factors, clinical features, and causative agents of toenail onychomycosis in Vietnam. Materials and Methods:: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Nghe An province, Vietnam, from March 2021 to August 2022. Toenail samples from female traders with suspected onychomycosis underwent direct examination and culture. Isolates were identified using conventional and molecular techniques, including restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region. Results:: Based on findings, 45.5% of 224 participants were diagnosed with onychomycosis. The identified risk factors for onychomycosis were water contact (odds ratio (OR) 2.434; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.098–5.383) and nail grooming (OR: 2.096; 95% CI: 1.002–4.384). Distal and lateral subungual onychomycosis was the most common form (84.3%), followed by superficial white (8.8%) and proximal subungual form (6.9%). Most cases were classified as mild (35.3%) or moderate (40.2%) infections, with an average onychomycosis severity index (OSI) score of 10.25 ± 8.09. Yeasts accounted for 70.6% of cases, and Candida was the leading genus (54.9%), followed by Trichosporon (13.7%) and Geotrichum (1.9%). Most mold-related cases were caused by non-dermatophyte fungi, including Aspergillus (16.7%), Penicillium (5.9%), Curvularia (2.9%), Fusarium (2.0%), and Talaromyces (1%), while dermatophyte (Trichophyton) was identified in only one case (1%). Compared with yeast infections, mold-related cases were more associated with older participants and a higher rate of severe cases (43.3% vs. 16.7%, p = 0.010) as well as OSI score (13.6 ± 8.2 vs. 8.8 ± 7.7, p = 0.006). Conclusion:: Both behavioral and occupational factors were risks for toenail onychomycosis, which was mostly mild to moderate and associated with yeasts. Non-dermatophyte molds were less frequent but linked to more severe cases. Targeted prevention and tailored treatment strategies are needed.
SN - 2423-3439
SN - 2423-3420
ER -