title: Chapter 1: laboratory diagnosis of pulmonary mycoses.
abstract: In this era of immunosuppression and transplantation, it is imperative that laboratory scientists remain in close communication with physicians. In patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy, the diagnosis of mycoses must be rapid, which is complicated, requiring the cooperation and collaboration of a number of professionals from various fields of expertise. In this paper, the laboratory diagnosis of pulmonary fungal infection is reviewed. The following topics are included: host factors such as immunological response and predisposing anatomical features; collection, transport and storage of specimens; laboratory processing of samples; direct microscopy; staining techniques, culture and identification of fungi; laboratory biosafety; tissue tropism and reactions; serology; and antigen detection.
authors.affiliation: Fundação Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Rio Grande, RS, Brasil.
authors.forename: Melissa Orzechowski
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Xavier
authors.forename: Flávio de Mattos
authors.initials: Fde M
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Luiz Carlos
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Severo
mesh_terms: D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008172:Lung Diseases, Fungal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D017056:Medical Laboratory Personnel