Abstract: Objective To investigate the relationship between the morphological features of involved nail and pathogenic fungi in onychomycosis. Methods A total of 360 out-patients were studied. The specimens were taken with tooth drill, pathogenic fungi were examined by microscopy and culture, clinical types and features were observed. Results The pathogenic fungi were identified in 165 cases, 80.0% were caused by dermatophytes, 13.9% by yeasts, 2.4% by non-dermatophyte moulds, and 3.6% were mixed infections. Clinical features of these types of onychomycosis caused by different fungi were described. Conclusions Specific fungi or species might be deduced according to the morphological features of onychomycosis together with microscopy.

Key words: Onychomycosis, Diagnosis