Utility of anti-bacillus Calmette-Guérin antibodies as a screen for organisms in sporotrichoid infections.
BACKGROUND
Sporotrichoid infections often present a diagnostic challenge for the dermatopathologist. Therefore an affordable, reliable method of easier recognition of organisms is desired. Recently, immunohistochemical staining with antibodies against Mycobacterium bovis (bacillus Calmette-Guérin, BCG) was found to be useful in identifying various fungi and mycobacteria with minimal background staining.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the usefulness of anti-BCG antibodies as a screen for organisms in sporotrichoid infections.


METHODS
Thirteen specimens of suspected sporotrichosis were selected for staining with anti-BCG antibody. Sporotrichoid infection was confirmed by histochemical staining, biopsy, and follow-up results.


RESULTS
Twelve of the 13 specimens stained positively using anti-BCG antibody. Of the 5 cultures done, 2 were positive for M. marinum, and 1 grew Sporothrix schenckii.


CONCLUSIONS
Immunohistochemical staining with anti-BCG antibody offers another screening method to identify organisms in sporotrichoid infections because of its ease, cost-effectiveness, and simplicity.
Byrd
J
J
Pinkus Dermatopathology Laboratory, Monroe, MI, USA.
Mehregan
D R
DR
Mehregan
D A
DA
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009163:Mycobacterium bovis / Q000276:immunology*; D016533:Mycological Typing Techniques; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D013175:Sporothrix / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013174:Sporotrichosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial