A patient with thickened and discolored nails was diagnosed with onychomycosis. A scraping of the nail was sent for culture. Microscopic analysis of the mold colony growth revealed the following morphology. The most likely identity of this organism is
A) Microsporum canis.
B) Sporothrix schenckii.
C) Aspergillus fumigatus.
D) Trichophyton mentagrophytes.

Question

A patient with thickened and discolored nails was diagnosed with onychomycosis. A scraping of the nail was sent for culture. Microscopic analysis of the mold colony growth revealed the following morphology. The most likely identity of this organism is 
A) Microsporum canis. 
B) Sporothrix schenckii. 
C) Aspergillus fumigatus. 
D) Trichophyton mentagrophytes.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The morphology seen in the image provided is consistent with the macroconidia produced by Trichophyton mentagrophytes, which is a known causative agent of onychomycosis. Microsporum canis is another potential cause of onychomycosis, but its macroconidia have a more spindle-shaped appearance. Sporothrix schenckii and Aspergillus fumigatus are not typically associated with onychomycosis.

A Patient with Thickened and Discolored Nails Was Diagnosed with Onychomycosis