Onychomycosis is a frequent condition seen in dermatology clinics. The causative can be dermatophyte, non–dermatophyte moulds (NDM), or yeasts. NDM can be hyaline or dematiaceous moulds with reported prevalence of 1.49% to 33.5% worldwide. This dramatic rise could be due to better diagnostic facility and increasing associated risk factors like overuse of antibiotics, chronic illness etc.

A study was undertaken in 550 patients in Department of Microbiology, Lady Hardinge Medical College. Direct microscopy of nail clips was positive 33.27% and culture was positive in 72% cases. Out of the samples cultured, yeast was isolated in 16.55%, NDM in 42.18% and dermatophytes in 9.45% samples.

Amongst the NDM, Aspergillus spp. was the most prevalent followed by Alternaria spp, Cladosporium spp., Penicillum spp and Fusarium spp. Males were predominantly affected (53.5%).

Culture though time consuming is important to know etiological shift in the agents of onychomycoses.