The Role of Scanning Electron Microscopy in the Direct Diagnosis of Onychomycosis

Figure 1

(a1) The yellowish thumb of case 1 with nail separation. (a2) SEM observation of case 1. The hyphae are smooth, intact, curved, and mellow with branches or local dryness (×3000). (b1) The yellowish thumb of case 2 with partial nail plate absence. (b2™) SEM observation of case 2. The clear arthroconidia are showed (×2500). (c1) The yellowish thumb of case 3 with a partial blackish nail. (c2) SEM observation of case 3. The yeast blastospores, with the ring of bud scars, exhibit local accumulation (×3000). (d1) The yellowish thumb of case 4 with nail plate thickening. (d2) SEM observation of case 4. Dispersed blastospores with budding, some of which resemble a bowling pin (×3000).

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