Work

Clinical evaluation of a rapid antigen detection test for the diagnosis of tinea unguium

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Currently, diagnosis of dermatophyte onychomycosis relies on direct microscopic examination (DME) and fungal cultures of nail material. Herein, we aim to evaluate the clinical performance of the rapid antigen detection (RAD) assay PreventID Dermatophyte in comparison to conventional methods for the diagnosis of tinea unguium. METHODS: Between February and July 2024, 48 nail samples, collected at the Navarra University Hospital, Spain, were included in the evaluation. In addition to DME and culture, the RAD test was executed. In case of discrepancies, the qPCR assay Novaplex™ Dermatophyte was utilized. RESULTS: Overall, the RAD test performed well, comparable to DME or culture, with concordances of 80.9% and 80.0%, respectively. The existence of falsely-negative and falsely-positive results reinforces the use of complementary diagnostic procedures, such as DME and culture, for confirmatory testing. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the PreventID Dermatophyte test provides rapid and reliable results with acceptable performance.

Source: Enfermedades infecciosas y microbiologia clinica (English ed )

DOI: 10.1016/j.eimce.2026.503067

Authors: Lucía Argente-Colás, Miren Urmeneta, Sayoa Hernán-Gómez, Ana Navascués-Ortega, María-Eugenia Portillo, Miguel Fernández-Huerta

Institutions: Navarre Institute of Health Research, Navarrabiomed, Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Doctor Negrín

Language: English

Topic: Nail Diseases and Treatments

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,280