Fungal Stains For Diagnostic Mycology- Part 5

The gold standard techniques for identifying the pathogenic fungi are still fungal culture, microscopy, and histopathology, which are used to gather mycological data and produce a conclusive, verified diagnosis. In clinical microbiology laboratories, many innovative approaches are being attempted to increase the speed and accuracy of fungal infection diagnosis. However, the majority of labs utilize direct microscopy to identify the morphological structures of fungus, which enables the determination of whether the infection is caused by yeast, non-septate or septate fungus. Stains can improve visualization of this fungal structures in direct microscopy and histopathology methods.

Fungal staining uses specific dyes that bind to the components of the fungal cell wall. Because of this binding, the fungi can be seen under a microscope, revealing their shape and structure. However, visibility is not the only factor. To help in the identification process, the way these dyes bond can also reveal a lot about the kind of fungus.

Medical practitioners can decide on the best course of action based on the type of fungus present in a sample. But which staining method, though, is the best for highlighting fungal features among the multitude of options? This question does not have a simple answer. Various staining methods reveal various things about the fungus. It is dependent upon the kind of fungus and the characteristics of the sample.

In certain circumstances, a mixture of staining methods may be applied. This can help identify the fungi by giving a more thorough view of them. However, understanding the benefits and drawbacks of each staining procedure is essential before choosing one. 

These methods are not merely instruments. They serve as evidence of the ability of science and technology to enhance medical results. They serve as a reminder that even microscopic organisms, such as fungus, have a big influence on human health and wellbeing. Let's take a journey through the realm of fungal staining, investigating the specifics, as well as some obscure information and significant difficulties associated with this method, its use, and its importance.


Fungal stains Part 5

References

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2. Naka W, Hanyaku H, Tajima S, Harada T, Nishikawa T. Application of neutral red staining for evaluation of the viability of dermatophytes and Candida in human skin scales. J Med Vet Mycol. 1994;32(1):31-5.

3. Malik M. Comparison of different staining techniques and culture media used for diagnosis of infective keratitis. Biomedica 2018;34(1):48-52.

4. Shimizu K, Imanishi Y, Toh-e A, Uno J, Chibana H, Hull CM, Kawamoto S. Functional characterization of PMT2, encoding a protein-O-mannosyltransferase, in the human pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. Fungal Genet Biol. 2014;69:13-22.

5. Bao F, Fan Y, Sun L, Yu Y, Wang Z, Pan Q, Yu C, Liu H, Zhang F. Comparison of fungal fluorescent staining and ITS rDNA PCR-based sequencing with conventional methods for the diagnosis of onychomycosis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2018 Jun;32(6):1017-1021.

6. Guarner J, Brandt ME. Histopathologic diagnosis of fungal infections in the 21st century. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2011 Apr;24(2):247-80.

 

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