Fluorescence of fungi in superficial and deep fungal infections.
BACKGROUND
Fluorescence of many fungi is noted when H&E stained sections are examined under a fluorescent microscope. In theory, this phenomenon could aid in the diagnosis of cutaneous and disseminated fungal infections without the delay associated with special stains. Seventy-six cases of superficial and deep fungal infections and 3 cases of protothecosis were studied to determine the clinical usefulness of this technique.


RESULTS
In most cases, fluorescence was noted, but was not intense. Fluorescence of fungi did not correlate with the age of the specimen. In most cases, organisms in H&E stained sections were more easily identified with routine light microscopy than with fluorescent microscopy.


CONCLUSIONS
This report suggests that in H&E stained skin specimens, fluorescent microscopy is of little benefit in the identification of fungal organisms.
Elston
D M
DM
Department of Dermatology, Brooke Army Medical Center, Ft Sam, Houston, Texas 78234, USA. dirk.elston@cen.amedd.army.mil
D005453:Fluorescence; D005658:Fungi / Q000737:chemistry*; D009181:Mycoses / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology