title: A comparison of calcofluor white, potassium hydroxide, and culture for the laboratory diagnosis of superficial fungal infection.
abstract: A total of 207 skin scrapings were prospectively studied using potassium hydroxide (KOH), calcofluor white (CW), and culture to determine the clinical usefulness of each microscopic method. For dermatophytes (prevalence 13.2%), CW had a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity 95%, giving a positive predictive value of 74% and negative predictive value of 99%. KOH had a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 95%, giving a positive predictive value of 73% and a negative predictive value of 98%. CW was simple, rapid, and easy to read. For dermatophyte infection, CW results are as useful as KOH results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Victoria General Hospital, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Haldane
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Robart
mesh_terms: D003883:Arthrodermataceae / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001557:Benzenesulfonates; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005658:Fungi / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D006878:Hydroxides; D011188:Potassium; D017680:Potassium Compounds; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology*; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D015003:Yeasts / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D001557:Benzenesulfonates; D006878:Hydroxides; D017680:Potassium Compounds; C007061:C.I. Fluorescent Brightening Agent 28; D011188:Potassium; C029943:potassium hydroxide