Hyphal Index Following a Potassium Hydroxide Mount in Dermatophytosis.

Dermatophytes are fungi that invade and proliferate over structures containing keratin. The potassium hydroxide (KOH) mount is a commonly performed investigation to detect the presence or absence of fungal elements. This study is an attempt to semi-quantify the KOH mount done for dermatophytosis and to validate the Hyphal Index (HI). HI is determined by the number of fungal elements present in the mount, in a method similar to the bacillary index in leprosy. This simple semi-quantification assessment is proposed as a prognostic tool in the management of dermatophytosis.