title: Diagnosis of dermatophytosis: an evaluation of direct examination using MycetColor® and MycetFluo®.
abstract: Dermatophytes are an important cause of superficial fungal infection. Direct examination of skin, nail, or hair samples remains essential in diagnosis, as it provides a quick response to the clinician. However, mycological analysis, including direct examination and culture, often lacks sensitivity. The use of stains or fluorochromes may enhance the performance of direct examination. We analyzed 102 samples from patients with suspected dermatophytosis in 4 different diagnostic mycology laboratories. Two reagents, MycetColor® and MycetFluo®, which use Congo red and calcofluor dye, respectively, were evaluated for the direct microscopic examination of skin, hair, and nail specimens. The results were compared to those of culture and conventional direct examination. Both reagents were able to clarify the specimens and also to specifically stain fungal elements. Microscopic examination of the specimens was greatly facilitated with MycetFluo®, which allowed a higher number of positive cases to be detected compared to the other methods.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Institut de Biologie en Santé, CHU d'Angers, 4 rue Larrey, 49933 Angers Cedex 9, France; Groupe d'Etude des Interactions Hôte-Pathogène, UPRES-EA 3142, l'UNAM Université, Université d'Angers, France. Electronic address: mapihet@chu-angers.fr.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pihet
authors.affiliation: Groupe d'Etude des Interactions Hôte-Pathogène, UPRES-EA 3142, l'UNAM Université, Université d'Angers, France; Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Faculté de Pharmacie, 16 boulevard Daviers, 49100 Angers, France.
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Clément
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, CHU de Poitiers, 2 rue de la Milétrie, 86021 Poitiers Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kauffmann-Lacroix
authors.affiliation: Groupe d'Etude des Interactions Hôte-Pathogène, UPRES-EA 3142, l'UNAM Université, Université d'Angers, France; Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Faculté de Pharmacie, 16 boulevard Daviers, 49100 Angers, France.
authors.forename: Sandrine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nail-Billaud
authors.affiliation: Groupe d'Etude des Interactions Hôte-Pathogène, UPRES-EA 3142, l'UNAM Université, Université d'Angers, France; Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Faculté de Pharmacie, 16 boulevard Daviers, 49100 Angers, France.
authors.forename: Agnès
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marot
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire Tharreau, 4 rue Jules Ferry, 49500 Segré, France.
authors.forename: Françoise
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pilon
authors.affiliation: Groupe d'Etude des Interactions Hôte-Pathogène, UPRES-EA 3142, l'UNAM Université, Université d'Angers, France; Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Faculté de Pharmacie, 16 boulevard Daviers, 49100 Angers, France.
authors.forename: Raymond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Robert
mesh_terms: D003883:Arthrodermataceae / Q000378:metabolism*; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000379:methods*; D006197:Hair / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008828:Microbiological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods*; D009262:Nails / Q000382:microbiology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods*; D014005:Tinea / Q000175:diagnosis*
keywords: Dermatophytes; Dermatophytosis; Direct examination; Fluorochrome; Mycological diagnosis; Stain