Clinical and Interpretive

This assay is used for the identification of fungal organisms from keratinized tissues by treatment with KOH followed by microscopic examination. Fungal infections of keratinized tissues (hair, skin, nails) can be caused by dermatophytic fungi belonging to the genera Epidermophyton, Microsporum, and Trichophyton. Opportunistic superficial infections resembling dermatophytoses may be caused by yeasts or by unrelated filamentous fungi that are normally saprobes or plant pathogens. Dermatophytes are usually unable to penetrate deeper tissues. Infection may range from mild to severe.