Are the classic diagnostic methods in mycology still state of the art?
The diagnostic workup of cutaneous fungal infections is traditionally based on microscopic KOH preparations as well as culturing of the causative organism from sample material. Another possible option is the detection of fungal elements by dermatohistology. If performed correctly, these methods are generally suitable for the diagnosis of mycoses. However, the advent of personalized medicine and the tasks arising therefrom require new procedures marked by simplicity, specificity, and swiftness. The additional use of DNA-based molecular techniques further enhances sensitivity and diagnostic specificity, and reduces the diagnostic interval to 24-48 hours, compared to weeks required for conventional mycological methods. Given the steady evolution in the field of personalized medicine, simple analytical PCR-based systems are conceivable, which allow for instant diagnosis of dermatophytes in the dermatology office (point-of-care tests).
Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, Jena, Germany.
Cornelia
C
Wiegand
Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
Andrea
A
Bauer
Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Kiel, Kiel, Germany.
Jochen
J
Brasch
Laboratory for Medical Microbiology, Rötha/OT Mölbis, Germany.
Pietro
P
Nenoff
Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
Martin
M
Schaller
Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
Peter
P
Mayser
Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, Jena, Germany.
Uta-Christina
UC
Hipler
Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, Jena, Germany.
Peter
P
Elsner
D003880:Dermatology; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005658:Fungi; D006801:Humans; D009172:Mycology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction