title: Otomycosis: the detection of fungi in ears by immunofluorescence microscopy.
abstract: The procedure currently used to diagnose infection in otitis externa has several limitations: it is slow to culture organisms on growth media, fungal infections are often missed, and extensive laboratory facilities and mycological expertise are required. A rapid, accurate and sensitive assay would greatly improve patient care by initiating appropriate antifungal treatment at the onset of disease. We report the development of a rapid detection assay for otomycosis using fungal-specific monoclonal antibodies to detect fungi in ear swabs by immunofluorescence microscopy. This assay could form the basis of a detection assay for fungal infections of the head and neck.
authors.affiliation: Royal National Throat, Nose & Ear Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Gurr
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Dewey
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Gurr
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009181:Mycoses / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010032:Otitis Externa / Q000382:microbiology*; D013048:Specimen Handling
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal