Caption

Fungal infection. Computer artwork of hyphae (threads) and fruiting bodies (round) of a fungus that causes the infection onychomycosis (or tinea unguium). Onychomycosis affects the fingernails and toenails. It causes the nails to split, flake and grow too thick. Fungi spread by growing hyphae through a substrate, in this case nail tissue. Fruiting bodies produce spores, which are released and disperse to start new fungal colonies elsewhere. The most common species that cause onychomycosis are Trichophyton rubrum and T. mentagrophytes.