This document discusses laboratory diagnosis methods for fungi, including direct microscopy, culture media, DNA probes, and serological tests. Key techniques involve collecting samples to observe fungal morphology, using specialized culture media like Sabouraud's dextrose agar, and employing DNA probes for faster diagnosis. Serological tests identify antibodies in patient samples to diagnose systemic mycoses and other fungal infections.

1. LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS OF
FUNGI
BY : ANJALI SHARMA (M.Sc.)
DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY

2. CONTENTS:
1. DIRECT MICROSCOPY
2. CULTURE MEDIA
3. DNA PROBES
4. SEROLOGICAL TESTS

3. 1)DIRECT
MICROSCOPY
 Collection of samples – from skin scrapping, nails
scrabs ,sputum etc .)
 Morphology : conidia , filamentousspores , ( asexual ,
sexual ) hyphae etc . In light microscope .
 Includes different dyes :
1. 10%KOH SOLUTION:
 To dissolve tissue material.
 Alkali resistance fungi intact or stained with special
dye.
 E.g: indian ink – for identification of cryptococcus .

4. 2. CALCOFLOUR WHITE :
 Bind to cell wall of fungi.
3. METHAMINE SILVER :
 Diagnosis of fungi in tissue.

5. CULTURE
MEDIA:
1. SABOURAUD’S DEXTROSE AGAR:
 Facilitates slow growing fungi appearance.
 Bacteria can’t grow on this agar , beacuse of the low
pH.
And presence of antibiotics.

6. DNAPROBES:
 Visual identify of colony growing in culture at earlier
stage of growth.
 Diagnosis made rapid .
 DNA PROBE TEST : cryptococcus, blastomyces .

7. SEROLOGICAL
TESTS:
1. PRESENCE OF ANTIBODIES :
2. Presence of antibodies in patients’ serum or spinal
fluid used for – systemic mycoses .
 It is not uselful for other kind of mycoses .
2. COMPLIMENT FIXATION:
 E.g.: histoplamosis , blastomycosis ,coccidiomycoses .
3. AGGLUTINATION TESTS :
 E.g. : Cryptomycoses .
 Polysaccharide capsular antigens detected in C.
Neoforms .