In a group of 141 patients with the clinical diagnosis of onychomycosis of the feet retrospectively the detection rate of the clinical, microscopic and cultivation examination was analyzed. Microscopic examination proved most reliable with a detection rate of 77 %, less reliable was clinical examination with a detection rate of 66 % and the detection rate of cultivation was lowest - 45 %. Nevertheless comprehensive evaluation of results of all three examinations was necessary to detect microscopically negative dermatophytic infections, secondary colonizations of dystrophic nails and infections with opportunistic hyphomycetes. The detection rate of laboratory examinations increased when they were carried out repeatedly.

        Key words: onychomycoses - microscopic examination - cultivation