National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS)
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PRINT ISSN : 2319-7692
Online ISSN : 2319-7706 Issues : 12 per year Publisher : Excellent Publishers Email : editorijcmas@gmail.com / submit@ijcmas.com Editor-in-chief: Dr.M.Prakash Index Copernicus ICV 2018: 95.39 NAAS RATING 2020: 5.38 |
Superficial fungal infections include Tinea versicolor and Dermatophytosis. Tinea versicolor infects stratum corneum which is caused by lipophilic yeast-like fungi i.e. Malassezia species. Dermatophytosis infects keratinised structures (skin, hair and nails) caused by a group of keratinophilic fungi called dermatophytes. KOH mount is the preliminary, convenient and inexpensive test for diagnosis of superficial fungal infections. This study compares the detection rate and visualisation of fungal elements by KOH mount using standard technique and cellophane tape method. This study was carried out in the Department of Microbiology, Dr B R Ambedkar Medical College, K G Halli, Bangalore for a period of 6 months from August 2016 to January 2017. A total of 250 skin scrapings were collected from clinically diagnosed patients with superficial fungal infections (Tinea versicolor- 76, Dermatophytosis- 174). Preliminary KOH mount examination was done by standard technique. The same patients were also studied by a modified technique by using cellophane tape method for KOH mount. Out of 250 clinical samples, 71 were positive for Malassezia species, 170 were positive for Dermatophytes and 9 were negative for fungal elements. Standard technique and cellophane tape method of KOH mount both were positive for fungal elements in 91.6% of samples. Standard technique of KOH mount was negative but cellophane tape method was positive in 4.8% of samples. Both the methods were negative in 3.6% of the samples. The present study concludes that there is a higher rate of detection and the morphology of fungal elements were better visualised by cellophane tape method of KOH. Also, the standard technique of KOH mount is time consuming compared to cellophane tape method. Cellophane tape method of KOH mount is easier and convenient for collection and transport of specimen as well. Thus, cellophane tape method of KOH mount serves as a better preliminary diagnostic tool than the standard conventional technique.
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