Objective To report a case of superficial white onychomycosis caused by Nigrospora sphaerica. Methods Natl specimens were obtained from the patient and examined by direct microscopy, fungal culture and histopathology. Subsequently, the isolate was subjected to DNA sequencing analysis, gelatin liquefaction test, antifungal susceptibility test and nail-plate invasion test. Results A 21-year-old male presented with a 5-month history of whitening of the right hallux. Direct microscopy of nail scrapings showed spores, hyphae and lobiform conidiophores, and histopathology of decalcifying nail clippings revealed the presence of fungal elements including numerous spores and hyphae. A black woolly colony was formed in Sabouraud's dextrose agar (SDA). DNA sequencing analysis showed that the isolate was highly consis-tent with genus Nigrospora. Also, the isolate possessed the ability to liquefy gelatin and to invade normal nail plate. Antifungal susceptibility test showed that the isolate was highly susceptible to itraconazole, clotrimazole, amphotericin B and nystatin. The onychomycosis was cured after 5-month treatment with oral itra-conazole pulse therapy. Conclusions The isolate is identified as Nigrospora sphaerica by morphological features and DNA sequencing analysis. It is the first reported case of superficial white onychomycosis caused by N. Sphaerica in China, and it was effectively treated by itraeonazolc.

Objective To explore the methods of preparing whole blood control of seven trace elements (magnesium,manganese,iron,copper,zinc,lead,calcium) in laboratory and evaluate its performance.Methods Heparin sodium anticoagulant calf whole blood was used as substrateMetal salt or standard solution with target concentration of each element was added.And whole blood control product was made after process of anticorrosion,mixing and sub-packaging.Antibacterial effect was observed,uniformity and stabilitywasevaluatedaccording to CNAS-GL03 and matrix effects was evaluatedaccording to CLSI EP14.SDI (standard deviation index) and detection coefficient of variation (CV)were calculated to evaluateapplication effectiveness.Results Laboratory preparation of whole blood control reached target concentration,sterility tests was qualified,results of uniformity and stability indicated that the substrate was even and stable at least for one year.Besides,matrix effects of other six elements can be ignored except lead.Historical and inter-laboratory comparisons had shown that laboratory preparation of whole blood control has no obvious difference with commercial ones in performance.Conclusion The formulation and evaluation scheme of whole blood control of seven trace elements (magnesium,manganese,iron,copper,zinc,lead,calcium) was feasible and can be used as commercial ones for elementary tests in medical laboratory.