BACKGROUND: The variability in susceptibility to onychomycosis for individuals exposed to the same environmental risk factors raises the possibility that there may be individuals with a genetic predisposition to dermatophyte infection. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there are genetic mutations or genotypes which contribute to onychomycosis. METHODS: The PubMed database was searched for examples of immune deficiencies resulting in dermatophyte infections. RESULTS: There are mutations in the innate immune receptors Dectin-1 and its adaptor protein CARD9 which result in familial mucocutaneous infections. There are also specific human leukocyte antigen genotypes that are more common in individuals and families with a high prevalence of onychomycosis. In addition, some patients have been reported with insufficient levels of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells. These deficits impair a full innate and adaptive immune response and may result in chronic or recurrent infections. CONCLUSIONS: There are documented mutations and genotypes that contribute to familial and individual susceptibility to onychomycosis.
BACKGROUND: The variability in susceptibility to onychomycosis for individuals exposed to the same environmental risk factors raises the possibility that there may be individuals with a genetic predisposition to dermatophyte infection. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there are genetic mutations or genotypes which contribute to onychomycosis. METHODS: The PubMed database was searched for examples of immune deficiencies resulting in dermatophyte infections. RESULTS: There are mutations in the innate immune receptors Dectin-1 and its adaptor protein CARD9 which result in familial mucocutaneous infections. There are also specific human leukocyte antigen genotypes that are more common in individuals and families with a high prevalence of onychomycosis. In addition, some patients have been reported with insufficient levels of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells. These deficits impair a full innate and adaptive immune response and may result in chronic or recurrent infections. CONCLUSIONS: There are documented mutations and genotypes that contribute to familial and individual susceptibility to onychomycosis.