Final answer:
The early stages of a typical bacterial infection on the nail plate can cause a green discoloration.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the early stages, a typical bacterial infection on the nail plate can manifest as a green discoloration, which is often caused by bacteria such as Pseudomonas spp. When bacteria like Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and other mentioned pathogens infect the nail, they can lead to different symptoms such as discoloration.
However, yellow discoloration of the nails is more commonly associated with fungal infections, such as those caused by Candida albicans or dermatophytes, which make nails yellow, brittle, and prone to breaking.