Rapid microscopical diagnosis of deep-seated mycoses following maceration of fresh specimens and staining with optical brighteners.

A fluorescent staining procedure, which used to be recommended for the detection of fungi in skin and nail scrapings, can be adapted for the rapid detection of fungal elements in non-sectioned biopsies or respiratory secretions. The specimens are directly stained with an optical brightener (Blankophor P flüssig, Cellufluor, Uvitex 2B) preferentially after exposure to 20% aqueous potassium hydroxide solution. The procedure can also be applied to Gram-stained microscopic mounts. The high intensity of the fluorescence elicited allows rapid microscopic screening at low magnifications.