Diagnosis of dermatophytosis: an evaluation of direct examination using MycetColor® and MycetFluo®.

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.