title: Comparative study of Gram stain, potassium hydroxide smear, culture and nested PCR in the diagnosis of fungal keratitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study seeks to evaluate the efficacy and practicality of the molecular method, compared to the standard microbiological techniques for diagnosing fungal keratitis (FK).
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with eye findings suspected of FK were enrolled for cornea sampling. Scrapings from the affected areas of the infected corneas were obtained and were divided into two parts: one for smears and cultures, and the other for nested PCR analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 38 eyes, 28 were judged to have fungal infections based on clinical and positive findings in the culture, smear and responses to antifungal treatment. Potassium hydroxide, Gram staining, culture and nested PCR results (either positive or negative) matched in 76.3, 42.1, 68.4 and 81.6%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PCR is a sensitive method but due to the lack of sophisticated facilities in routine laboratory procedures, it can serve only complementarily and cannot replace conventional methods.
authors.affiliation: Prof. Alborzi Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Shiraz, Iran. Badieep@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Parisa
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Badiee
authors.forename: Mahmood
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nejabat
authors.forename: Abdolvahab
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alborzi
authors.forename: Fatemeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Keshavarz
authors.forename: Elaheh
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Shakiba
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001232:Aspergillus fumigatus / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics; D002648:Child; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000032:analysis; D015821:Eye Infections, Fungal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005658:Fungi / Q000166:cytology* / Q000235:genetics*; D005670:Fusarium / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics; D005840:Gentian Violet; D006801:Humans; D006878:Hydroxides; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010619:Phenazines; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017680:Potassium Compounds; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004271:DNA, Fungal; C035863:Gram's stain; D006878:Hydroxides; D010619:Phenazines; D017680:Potassium Compounds; D005840:Gentian Violet; C029943:potassium hydroxide