Fig. 3

a. The ventral surface of the nail plate from a normal control. The nail plate was relatively intact without visible damage. (SEM, × 400). b. The ventral surface of the nail plate from case 1. The nail plate was significantly damaged with loose, layered and irregular shape. (SEM, × 500). c. The ventral surface of the nail plate from case 1. Hyphae were piercing through the thin layer of keratinocytes. Keratinocyte layer had scattered bacteria (arrow) (SEM, × 2000). d. The nail plate in case 1 showed significant damage, structural disorder and plenty of hyphae piercing through the thin layer of keratinocytes (arrow). (SEM, × 1000). e. The local amplification of Fig. 3d. There were visible hyphae piercing through the nail plate (arrows). Some of the hyphae were mellow, some were dry, had smooth surface without local destruction, no spores were visible. (SEM, × 3000). f. The image of case 2 showed budding and branching hyphae that piercing through the layered keratinocytes. The hyphae were complete and full. (SEM, × 2000). g. The local amplification of Fig. 3f. There were visible budding and branching hyphae. (SEM, × 5000). h. The image of case 3. There were visible subungual yeast-like cells. (SEM, × 2000). i. The image of case 4. There were subungual hyphae and pseudohyphaes-like features. (SEM, × 4000)