title: Albert's solution versus potassium hydroxide solution in the diagnosis of tinea versicolor.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The diagnosis of tinea versicolor can usually be made by clinical examination. Either potassium hydroxide (KOH) or Wood's light fluorescence are used to corroborate the diagnosis. Albert's solution has been reported as a method of visualizing dermatophytes. We compared Albert's solution to KOH in the diagnostic evaluation of tinea versicolor.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty patients with clinical tinea versicolor were examined for the presence of hyphae and/or spores utilizing Albert's solution or KOH (20%) with dimethyl sulfoxide.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients were positive for hyphae and/or spores by both methods. Preparations with Alberts' stains were faster and easier to read.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Albert's solution is an alternate method to stain for fungal elements in patients with tinea versicolor.
authors.affiliation: Greater Miami Skin and Laser Center, Miami Beach, Florida.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Payle
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Serrano
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Bieley
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Reyes
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates; D019342:Acetic Acid; D004396:Coloring Agents; D000431:Ethanol; D006801:Humans; D006878:Hydroxides; D008290:Malassezia / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017680:Potassium Compounds; D012394:Rosaniline Dyes; D014010:Tinea Versicolor / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D014048:Tolonium Chloride
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D004396:Coloring Agents; D006878:Hydroxides; D017680:Potassium Compounds; D012394:Rosaniline Dyes; C005095:malachite green; D014048:Tolonium Chloride; D000431:Ethanol; D019342:Acetic Acid; C029943:potassium hydroxide